MEN IN EMPTY HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20375, 2 October 1929, Page 14

MEN IN EMPTY HOUSE.

LATER DAMAGE BY FIRE.

SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.

CLOTHES AND SUITCASE TAKEN. Sentence of six months' imprisonment was imposed in the Police Court yesterday on Thomas Pawson, aged 23, and Arthur David Thomas, aged 27, seamen, charged with being rogues and vagabonds in that they were found without lawful excuse in an empty house in Vincent Street, which later was damaged by fire. On further charges of being idlo and disorderly, in that they had insufficient means of support, and of stealing a suitcase and clothing from the house, the accused wero convicted and discharged. All the offonces were denied except the charge of theft preferred against Thomas, who pleaded guilty. W. E. llackett, owner of the house, said that when ho left it on September 21 it was securely clotiod and in order. When lie returned on September 26 he found that the house bad been partly destroyed by fire, tho remainder being in a state of disorder. A suitcase and other articles which had been left in the house were missing. Sergeant Culloty said that in company with a constablo lie visited the house one evening shortly before tho fire. They entered at tho rear, and at tho samo time two men left by tho front door and escaped pursuit. Ono room had been slept in and was in a slate of filth, while there were empty beer bottles and matches on tho floor. Constable Dunn said that he found Thomas in possession of Hackett's suitcaso and other articles. Thomas mado a statement, in which ho said that ho arrived in the Dominion from Australia four months ago. He had been sleeping in tho shelter in Quay Street and in the house in Vincent Street, which ho entered by a window at tho back. Ho had done only seven days' work since ho had been in Auckland. Pawson, in a similar statement, said that he was discharged from tho steamer Canadian Conqueror at Auckland on August 14, and sinco then had been unemployed. lie met Thomas at a boarding houso in Pitt Street, where they both earned their lodging by working in tho kitchen, and left with him three weeks ago. Neither had any money, and finding tho houso in Vincent Slrcet, they decided to live there. They did not return after the evening on which the polico visited the place. Detective Knight said Thomas admitted that he stole the goods and said that they were taken by Pawson and himself, both being equally responsible. Clothes belonging to Pawson were found in tho house after the fire. lu evidence. Thomas said that ho stole tho suitcase, and Pawson knew nothing about it. " Both men are seamen, who will not go lo sea," said Chief-Detective Hammond. " They prefer to stay in town and live on girls working in factories." The chief detectivo added that Thomas was convicted of I heft in July.