OUT OF WORK RETURNED SOLDIER IN TROUBLE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7007, 5 September 1929, Page 8

OUT OF WORK RETURNED SOLDIER IN TROUBLE

A Difficult Case SUFFERING FROM EFFECTS OF SHELL-SHOCK When Simon Brophy, with a few too many drinks inside him, elected to visit the Palmerston North police station in search of work, he did not show that nice discrimination which should distinguish one in search of a job. Far from finding work, ho was locked up and placed under medical observation by the police. Yesterday morning, Brophy made an appearance in the Magistrate’s Court when he was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, in that he had insufficient means of support. The case was described as a difficult one by the Magistrate when he was. informed that Brophy was ,a returned soldier, out of work, and suffering from the effects of shell-shock. Brophy stated that he was not guilty of having insufficient means of support. He had been looking for a job in Palmerston North and as a result of having a few drinks, had not been feeling well. He had gone round to the police station looking for a position, but had been locked up for the night. Constable Beaton in the box stated that Brophy had conic into the station m an intoxicated condition and raving. It was considered unsafe to let him go and he had been locked up. His description corresponded with that of a man who had caused alarm by sitting for four hours outside a house without moving, and he had therefore been put under observation. Senior Sergeant Whitehouse stated that the dictors would not commit Brophy, as a result of the observation. Ho had been doing casual work around Waipukurau before he had como to Palmerston North. The Magistrate: Can’t we get him some work? The Senior Sergeant: L X am afraid there is not muA chance here, sir. Thu man is destitute. Accused: I '"’ill try to get work if I am let go. Asked whether he had applied to the R.S.A. for relief, Brophy stated that he had not yet done so. Ho was not sure where he could locate his discharge papers. „ The Magistrate: After all, his worst fault appears to be that he is out of work. The Senior Sergeant: We had no option but to arrest him when ho came into the station. Ho was in such a condition, that wo could not let him go. 1 . . The Magistrate: It is a very hard case. I do not want to lock him up. Ho will bo convicted and discharged.