REWARD OF CHARITY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1931, Page 15

REWARD OF CHARITY

MINISTER IMPOSED ON

BY UNDESIRABLE MEN

Undesirable men in Wellington have been obtaining sums of money from a charifllDs£y disposed clergyman and returning to demand | more. As a result of the efforts of the clergyman's neighbours to stop these men, Leo James Lafferty, a labourer, aged 28, appeared before Mr. B. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday charged with being an idlo and disorderly person with insufficient lawful means of support. Sub-Inspector Ward said that a retired clergyman living in one of the suburbs was charitably disposed, and for some time past had been assisting those who were in need of money. This fact became known to many undesirables. They had taken advantage of his defectivo eyesight by asking for money several times, and in some instances oven demanding it. A few days ago his house was tyroken into and a sum of money was stolen. On Monday the accused and a companion called at his house. His companion was wearing a white coat and the accused a black one. The pair posed as chemists' assistants, and asked for money to buy goods for their shop. The neighbours intervened, however, and the accused, who had a very lengthy list of convictions, was arrested. Asked by Mr. Page whether he had anything to say, the- accused stated that he was out of work, and his companion had told him that he could get 10s. Mr. Page: "This man has a substantial list, including theft and similar charges, and I propose to sentence him to three months' imprisonment with hard labour."