IDLE AND DISORDERLY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 6

IDLE AND DISORDERLY

THREE MONTHS’ ‘ IMPRISON- •' Masferton, October 4. s. Charged with being an idle and disorderly person, in that he had no lawful means of support, Henry Elijah Fretten, aged 50 years, appeared before Mr. S. L. P. Free, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Sergeant Dyer stated that accused had been staying at a boardinghouse in Masterton for the last five months, and during that time had paid only thirty shillings towards his keep. About a week ago the proprietor of the boardinghouse asked accused to leave, but this the latter refused to do, and adopted a fighting attitude. Thereupon the proprietor threatened to throw the accused downstairs. Accused had a habit of sneaking into the house late at night and taking occupancy of any bed that was made up. The proprietor at length complained to the police, who cautioned accused twice to no effect. Upon being searched yesterday subsequent to arrest, accused was found to have no money. Apart from two days’ employment, accused had done no work for the last two months. Asked if he had anything .to say, accused stated that he had been looking for work, but had been unable to secure any.'* “Meanwhile yon have been living on the good nature of the boardinghouse keeper, is that it?” asked the Magistrate. “One is sympathetic with a man who is genuinely out of work, but apparently you have been making a habit of this sort of thing.” Accused was convicted, and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.