WEALTHY BEGGARS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1930, Page 4

WEALTHY BEGGARS

“THE BEST PROFESSION.” LONDON, . August 30. “Begging as a profession cannot bo beaten,” wrote Gilbert Hanson, 36,' a Liverpool beggar, in a fetter which he wrote to the Coroner before committing suicide. “I have been a professional beggar for the past 10 years, and I learnt more about beggars and begging than I am able to; write,” he added. , x . , “The least successful beggar is bet, ter off than the most successful worker. One big untidy brute has always a few days’ beard and a number of safety pins about his person to keep his clothes on. This is all aimed at creating sympathy. He is able to change a pound note any day. He

goes to public houses and then sits in the gutter, labelling himself ‘a broken Mons hero.’ He is not broken, and is certainly no hero. Another specimen is a one-armed man, who labels himself ‘both arms useless.’ He boasts that 50/- is a bad Saturday ' night’s takings. Another beggar owns ■ property, and has a holiday at Paris every year. I know women who borrow children for three and four shillings a day, and go out singing. I am sick and tired of it all. I hope the police will take drastic action,, and the public cease to encourage beg- . gars.” The Coroner remarked that if true the letter was most astonishing. Personally, he knew that some of the statements were correct.