THE FRIEND OF A K.C.

Evening Star, Issue 14116, 20 July 1909, Page 6

THE FRIEND OF A K.C.

CHARGED WITH VAGRANCY. A ■ man, with arresting eyes oad mtb the bottoms of hie trousers ail fringed like a chaff bag, appeared before Mr Bartholomew, S.M., in the Police Court today to answer a charge that on July 19, at St. Clair, he was deemed to be an idle and disorderly person in that be wandered abroad to beg alma Hie name was announced ae Thomas Qodlliam. That there ie nothing in a name was proved eabeequently. Evidence was called to substantiate the charge. Mr C. -Chapman, painter, St. Hilda, said he had met Quilliam three timee. The first time Quilliam asked to be shown to where he could get work, and then he asked for 3d or 6d, as he had had nothing to oat. Witness did not give him any money. Ae far as witness knew Quilliam was doing the best he could to live on people’s charity. Defendant; You would not have said that df your friend Marshall Hall had been here... You could not, face him. After my big man goes, you ran me in. " That is what you do. You are crafty. When be is in Dunedin you daren’t do it. Constable Hoard said he bad known the accused for about six weeks. To bis knowledge, he never did any work. In fact, he runs away from it.. Witness had warned him about a month ago, andpeople complained about him. Quilliam told him, that a man named Marshall Hall,: ELC., from England, provided him with money. When accused was offered work he ran away in the opposite direction. Defendant: I said ho (Hall) was the captain of the Laiemba. The Magistrate : Do you think he is in his right mind? Witness ; He appears to be rather eccentric. But he is very cunning. Defendant: lam not cunning. Sergeant CKkrady said he had known accused about three months, and had warned him. Quilliam told him that Kis name was Sydney Sturge, an engineer by trade. ■ ■ . Constable Dunford told of how he had seen Quilliam out at St. Glair about 7 p.m. on the 15th inst. Quilliam told him that he had been working on the wharf and had gone to St. Clair to get fresh air. Subsequent inquiry showed that he had not been working at the wharves. Witness said that Quilliam wandered about the suburbs by night., as well as by day. “ I think the fellow is not all there,” said the constable. Defendant: I went out to see Margaret Jack. I have always been in the board-ing-houses at night time. I have never been, out at night, I have been staying at McLean’s for the last three months. If you say the opposite, go and ask them. I have paid my way. I have not been idle and disorderly. It was mentioned that he had been seen wandering listlessly about the suburbs. Defendant (to the magistrate) ; It’s like this, Mister : If I have got no one to walk about with I do not walk about listlessly. I walk about in a proper manner. I was on the Whangape yesterday. He stopped speaking for a time, and the Magistrate told him to go on with his statement. Defendant: I am thinking. I am not quick at collecting my thoughts. Mr Bartholomew : Take plenty of time. There ie no hurry. Defendant: I plead not guilty. I reckon I have been quite justified in the way I have been, proceeding. I was working on Saturday afternoon, and if that is not late enough I don’t know what is. I was working Saturday afternoon when everybody else had a holiday. Magistrate: Who for? Defendant: For a builder in South Dunedin, ae a laborer. I don’t know his name. He paid me half a crown. I have worked on the wharves a good bit for Mr James M'Gill. And I worked for Oaneev nt Caversham. I went out to St. Clair, and I got nabbed. Magistrate: What? Chief-detective Herbert; Nabbed, vour Worship. . Magistrate: I thought he said be got married.

Defendant: I might have got married. I am a fighting man in that way. I might have got manned there. If I could find my wife I would marry her pretty quick. Alargaret Jack is her name. She has got the puree, not me. I went out to St. Clair to find her.

Sub-mspertor Pbair : What is your real name, Quilliam?

Defendant: My name? Aly name is Tom Champion. I came here in the Sue vie as a trimmer. 1 lost her in Port Chalmers, September last.

Sub-inspector Pharr: Were you ever in a bootmaker’s shop in Mornington? There was no reply for a time. Air Bartholomew i That’s a simple question.

Defendant: lam collecting my thoughts. I (after a pause) refuse to answer. Mr Bartholomew; You had better answer. It may be used against you. Defendant: I con do as I like. You cannot demand speech. Sub-inspector Pharr: Do you remember meeting Air London at St. f Clair? Defendant; I have nothing to do with that man. I decline to answer your question. Air Phair: This man, I consider, is shamming. Were you (this to defendant) sentenced to three months,’ imprisonment in November last for indecency. Defendant: I refuse to answer that. Air Bartholomew : ' Hus he been medically examined? Air Phair: I don’t think so, sir. Air Bartholomew.- I, think ITI remand him for medical examination. He may be more fool than knave. Air Pha,ir: He is remarkably slow since he came into the court. He was remarkably_ quick with his answers in th© Police Station. Air Bartholomew: Alaybe he is shamming, but I prefer to have him examined. I’ll remand him to August 28. Defendant; Is there any chance of me getting away in the Victoria? Court Orderly : Stand down !