EXCLUDED FROM THE WHARF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 121, 8 February 1918, Page 6

EXCLUDED FROM THE WHARF

» AN UNUSUAL CASE. Loitering on the Queen's Wharf after being served with an exclusion order, issued by a competent authority -under the War Kegulations, was the charge preferred against John James Lawless in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M. Constable Tricklebank said that he served the accused with the exclusion order, and explained to him that if he was found anywhere near the wharf or on any of the ships ho would be liable to arrest. Constable J. M. O'Connor said ho knew Lawless and knew that he had been served with an exclusion. Witness saw the accused on the wharf that morning; he was sitting on a stringer on the Queen's Wharf, near the Tolls Office. When accosted Lawless said that ho did not know ho was doing wrong by sitting on the wharf. He said he intended keeping on the wharf to make a living. > Lawless, giving evidence on his own behalf, admitted that he had been served with an exclusion order. Hc_ said that Plain-clothes Constable Tricklebank had been on his trail ever sinco he came out of gaol after serving a_ sentence of three months. He admitted being on the wharf on three occasions since be had been served with the exclusion order. Ho did not know what crime lie had committed to be excluded from the wharf.

The Magistrate: You arc charged with being on the wharf after an exclusion order had been served you. Yon are regarded as an undesirable person to have on the wharf. Lawless: How am I to make my living ? The Magistrate: T don't know anything about that. Where e>m T find out, sir?—" From tlio police." Lawless was eonvieted and fined £3, in default 21 days' imprisonment, the Magistrate .iiitimatinn that he had jjivon him a ehnnce. hut if he appeared afain he would bo sentenced to a term of imprisonment.