QUITE MISTAKEN!

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11011, 25 January 1926, Page 7

QUITE MISTAKEN!

THREE MONTHS’ HARD LABOR

“If you fellows are going to come here and hang round town thinking of doing nothing you are quite mis* taken—three months’ hard labor.”

This sentenoe was passed by Mr. E. O. Levvey, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday on Thomas Rodden, aged 31, who stood in the dock on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person in that lie had insufficient lawful visible means of support. “This man has been in town for nine days and has done no work,” said the Senior-Sergeant. “He has been in the company of men under the influence of drink, and has been in the habit of calling at hotels late at night, asking for a bed and tearing in tlie early hours of the morning without paying. I submit that men of this description hanging round hotels are dangerous, and there has been an exceptional number of his class in town since the holidays. It they can’t get work in Gisborne this is no place for them.” Accused had been previously before the Court for being idle and disorderly, and it was alleged he had supplied natives with liquor, trading on their thirst. Rodden: I’ve* got work-to go to at Waipiro, and I’ve already sent my swag up there. The Magistrate: I don’t want you up there. The tSenior-Siergeant: It is not likely ho will go up the Coast. He already has three summonses to appar at Tokomaru Bay on charges of supplying liquor to natives. The Bench prescribed 3 months’ gaol with hard labor for Rodden.