ONE MONTH’S GAOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1947, Page 6

ONE MONTH’S GAOL

LABOURER’S FIFTY-FIFTH CONVICTION IDLE ANDDISORDERLY “You have a list of 54 previous convictions here, so you will be sentenced to one month’s imprisonment,” said Mr. N. V. Lovell, J.P. to George Hill, 54, single, a labourer of no fixed abode, in the Police Court at Greymouth this morning. Hill appeared before Messrs. Lovell and P. C. Heaphy, J.P’s., charged that, on February 5, at Otira, he was deemed to be an idle and disorderly person, in that he had insufficient lawful means of support. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant O. Hansen said that, as the result of complaints, the accused was arrested at Otira at 1.30 p.m. yesterday. Complaints were received regarding his conduct in the district and he was warned on Tuesday to leave the district. However, that night he called at the residence of a farmer and asked for a bed. While the farmer was temporarily absent he took a bottle of methylated spirits and partly consumed the contents. “When arrested,” added the sergeant, “the accused had 8d in his possession and three bottles of methylated spirits in his swag. He is in a filthy condition. There is no need for a man to be out of work at present, with plenty of work offering. He has been before the court on a number of occasions.” Mr. Lovell (to the accused): _ In view of your previous convictions, have you anything to say? The accused: No.