ALLEGED UNDESIRABLES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 107, 7 May 1909, Page 7

ALLEGED UNDESIRABLES.

SEVERAL CONVICTIONS. This morning five men were 'brought before the 'S.M. Court, and charged with being either vagabonds, rogues, or idle or disorderly persons. A BROKEN HOME. As a result of complaints made by residents in the neighbourhood of Moles-worth-street, John Joseph Pearson, John Byrne, and Cutherbertson appeared in the dock. Pearson and Byrne were charged with, (1) having insufficient lawful means of support, and (2) with consorting with* reputed thieves and women of low character. Cuthbertson had only tho latter charge to rnswer. Accused pleaded not guilty, and it was decided to take the several cases together. Detective Cassclls gave evidence that £he three accused were reputed thieves living together. They were not overfond of work, not having accomplished anything of that nature for at least three .weeks. Two women who had been living in the house were at present serving sentences in gaol. 'It was also said that when Peareon .was arrested he asked for an opportunity to go to Christchurch. Accused Pearson gave evidence that he had only arrived from Christchurch three woelcs ago. He landed in 'Wellington with £16. Lately, ho had been boarding in Byrne's house, and during the day peddled soap and fancy goods. Accused admitted that he had Berved twelve months' imprisonment -along with Byrne for- assault with intent to rob. In his evidence, accused Cuthbertson iriformed the court that he came from the Wairarapa in February, and had earned his living by flax-drying at 'Miramar. Accused also said that he resided with Byrne, the- latter attending to the culinary arrangements. By profession a wool-grader, accused 'Byrno 6tated that he had worked up to three weeks back. Pie was the occupior of the objectionable- house, in which ho let rooms. SENT TO GAOL. His Worship, Mr. Riddel!, S.M., in commenting upon the cases, remarked that there was evidence that accused had worked, but notwithstanding this, the law set out that it was illegal to consort with bad characters. Byrne was discharged on the charge of having insufficient lawful means of support, his Worship taking into account that he had been suffering from an injured hand. On the charge of consorting, he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Pearson was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on both charges, sentences to be concurrent. As nothing had previously been known to Cuthbertson's detriment, he was sent to gaol for one month. SLEEPING OUT. Last night, William Moore, an elderly man, had his slumbers disturbed whilst sleeping under a tree in an enclosed yard in Thorndon-quay. He was arieotcd and duly bioiight before the' court to-day. Accused, it was said, had already been convicted half-a-dozen times for drunkenness and twice for breaking a prohibition order. His Worship warned accased, and told him that although ho was enabled to sentence him, he would afford him an opportunity to find proper sleeping accommodation. Accused would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. "TIRED OF THIS COUNTRY." Thomas Albert Lepper, when asked if he wished to be tried by his Worship, replied shat '"he didn't care who tried him ; he was tired of this country." He ■was charged with being an incorrigible rogue with insufficient lawful means of support. On the application of SubInspector Phair, accused yias remanded until 'the 12th inst.