ONLY A PENNY LEFT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 257, 25 July 1921, Page 8

ONLY A PENNY LEFT

OUT OF WORK AND HOMELESS. As two constables wore quietly meditating on the peacefulness of that winter’s eve in the warm comfort of the police station in Princes Street the other night (states tho Auckland “Star") there camo a crash and. a smash and a thud to their startled ears. A shower of glass and a hurtling stone indicated the occasion, and tho cold air from outside swept in through a broken window to dispel the indoor snugness of police headquarters. Constable A. went to the wa tollhouse door, and there came to him a man who said "I did it!" "Come inside,” said the officer, and tile stranger entered, and told his tale before tho fire. lie was out of work, destitute—and desperate. “Sly name is Harry Brown,” he said, replying to the not 'unkindly questions of tlie officers of the law. “I am a native, of England, 42 years of age. I have been in New Zealand for th? past 15 years. I am a labourer by occupation. I was last in employment as rouseabout to a farmer near Waitare. I left there a month ago, as the job had finished. I had then £5. I have tramped about the country ever since looking for work, without success. I came to Auckland on the 19th from Mastertcn. I tried hard to obtain work here, 'but failed. I stayed hist night nt n house in Ilobson Street, paying my way there. I had 9dl left this morning, and had a cup of t-ea and cakes. This left me one penny. I tramped about the city to-day looking for a job. I attended the meeting of tho unemployed in the city. It was not that fact which made me break this window. I had made up my mind to pack my swag again to-day and go back into the country; but what’s the Use, for things aro as bad for work there ns they aro in the city. So I made up my mind to bo locked up to get away from tho bad weather. I came up hero and found a stone just outside. I threw it through tho window. I could not think of any other way to got locked up.” Brown was charged before Mr. Boynton, S.M., at tho City Court with having wilfully damaged a plate-g’ass window valued nt 355., the property of the New Zealand Government. He seemed to be a strong, respectable man, capable and willing io work. He was ordered to pay 355. damages, or go to gaol for a fortnight. As ho had not money but a penny ho went to gaol.