QUESTION OF MEANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 5

QUESTION OF MEANS.

CASE OF W. P. STOREY

VAGRANCY CHARGE DISMISSED.

LETTERS TO A YOUNG LADY.

When William Percy Storey was brought up in the Police Court again on Thursday on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient lawful means of support, Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., asked the chief detective if he wanted a conviction and a term of imprisonment. The chief detective answered that Storey had been making himself a general nuisance by his eccentricity. All than was desired was that he should leave the town. Mr. Cutten thereupon suggested that, if the young man went away with his father, the charge might be adjourned for three months, being brought on again if he did not stay away. Mr. Allan Moody, who appeared for Storey, objected to this course, so Mr. Cutten decided to hear the evidence.

Walter King, licensee of the Imperial Hotel, detailed how Storey had annoyed his daughter with his unwelcome attentions. Bundles of letters, written by Storey to her, were produced, the chief detective saying that they were almost equal to a "'Frisco mail" in themselves. When counsel objected to this evidence, His Worship said that it was quite relevant as it showed that Storey had been wasting his time. Tho evidence given by several detectives and constables showed that Storey had been idling about town for some time. Several bills at boardinghouses he had left unpaid. On more than one occasion he had been warned to mend his ways, but had taken no heed of such warnings. A statement made by Storey that he had been working for Mr. Marjoribanks Steele had been proved to have no foundation in fact, except that Storey had utilised the office, in which he wrote letters. His occupation, he had said, was that of a financial agent, and he anticipated getting £1250 commission for floating a loan for the Mount Eden Borough Council. When spoken to about frequenting the neighbourhood of Miss King's house, he had insisted that she loved him.

For the defence, it was stated that Storey had been living with his brother since November last- He had received money from his father and from another brother. A serious illness had prevented the accused from doing any hard work. The accused's father, who stated that he was quite prepared to take his son home to Htiia with him, said that he had given him money from time to time, the donations averaging about £1 a week. In giving his decision, Mr. Cutten said th» evidence disclosed grounds for proceedings on other charges. His Worship said that he could not convict on the charge of being idle and disorderly with" insufficient means, as at the present time the accused was living with his brother and was being provided with food and lodging. Such a state of affaire constituted an answer to the charge. The accused was undoubtedly guilty before the time when he went to live with his brother. "I hope," concluded His Worship. " that the fact of proceedings bavin? been taken will be sufficient warning to the accused and his friends that better provision will have to be made for looking after him. Mr. Moody said that Storev's father intended to take him right awav to Hnia. "That will b° nil right." commented His Worship, "for if he remains in town proceedings of another, and perhaps more serious kind, will certainlv be taken."