POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16051, 18 October 1915, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

LIVING IN THE DOMAIN.

TWELVE MONTHS FOR VAGRANCY.

An elderly woman, Elizabeth Allison Woods, appeared before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Police Court on Saturday on a charge of vagrancy. She pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Mcllveney said the accused had been living in the scrub in the Domain for some time, and had received assistance from some charitable people. The police were informed and arrested the accused; She was very weak, owing to her mode of living, and had to be sent to the hospital, where she had remained for the last 10 days. He suggested that, in the accused's own interests, sho should be sent to gaol for a substantial term. The magistrate said he was afraid, owing to accused's record, that none of the homes would take her. She would be sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.

BOGUS COLLECTOR. A youth admitted stealing 14s in money from a house in Devonport, and obtaining 7s 6d by means of faLse pretences. SubInspecter Mcllveney said the accused had found a collection card at a church, and commenced canvassing for subscriptions on behalf of a mission ship. He collected 7s 6d, and then visited the residence of Mrs. Emma Amos. She had placed 14s on a shelf near the back door in order to pay a tradesman, and the accused, -who noticed the money, put it in his pocket and. ran away. Mrs. Amos missed the money and followed him. He declined to return and denied taking the money. Subsequently he refunded the amount. The police at Devonport regarded the boy as weak-minded, and considered that in his own interests he should be put under restraint.

The magistrate, after conferring with the Rev. F. Jeffreys, probation officer, decided to admit accused to probation for three years.

MISCELLANEOUS. William McLeod was fined £1 for using obscene language. Theresa Flora McOrath. a third offender for drunkenness, was fined £1, and was prohibited for 12 months.