THIRTY DAYS' IMPRISONMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9740, 5 March 1914, Page 5

THIRTY DAYS' IMPRISONMENT.

A young man named Charles Thompson appeared before Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.. at the Magistrate's Court this morning charged under the Police OFF :• vs Act with being an idle and diaorjfcrly person, in that he wandered abroad in a public place beirging alms. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was represented by Mr Rutherfurd. Constable Creelman stated, in evidence. that in consequence of a complaint made to him by a Linton resident he had occasion to warn accused in the Square yesterday against begging for money, and also offering to fight for it. Not many minutes afterwards, accused stopped another man. and asked for money, whereupon witness ordered him to leave the town. Accused took no notice of the warning, and within the next quarter of an hour begged from a number of other persons. Witness then went to arrest accused, who bolted. Witness chased after him, and, after a struggle, placed him in custody. The man was quit.' sober, although he had had a drink or two. Thomas Bastin, one of those from whom accused solicited alms, also gave evidence on behalf of the prosecution. In speaking on accused's behalf, Mr Rutherfurd stated that Thompson was a respectable man with good connections. He also said that accused had work to go to. Evidence was given by A. Giorgi as to accused's character a few months ago. On oath, accused stated that he been to the Wanganui races, a nd had been drinking heavily. He did not remember having begged money, nor being arrested. The Magistrate considered that it was a disgraceful thing for a young fellow to con duet himself as accused had done. He sentenced him to 30 days' imprisonment.