IDLENESS CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22463, 6 July 1936, Page 11

IDLENESS CHARGE

FKENCH "EXPLOBER"

PROBLEM TO POLICE ' REMANDED IN CUSTODY Styled by one of liis own pamphlets, published i" Now Zealand, as "the world traveller and French explorer," Louis .Joseph Homier, aged .'il, who was admitted to the Dominion some months ago on a temporary permit and lived for .1 time in a tent at Mission Bay, appeared in the Police Court on Saturday charged with being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient means of support. His plea to the charge, spoken in broken English, was: "I have £lO in the Post Office Savings Hank." Sub-Inspector Fox said Bouvier accosted Constable Allsopp in Queen Street at 7.30 on Friday night, saying he was destitute, without money, and unable to sleep anywhere but in the open. When he announced his intention to throw himself into the harbour lie was taken into custody. The French consul, M. Paul Joubert, was telephoned, but, having previous knowledge of accused, refused to have any more to do with him. The consul said he was merely a vagabond. Walking Round World

According to one of the leaflets distributed by Bouvier and produced by the sub-inspector, ho set out from France in 1929 to walk round the world. Besides telling something of the mountains he had climbed and places he had visited, the leaflet stated: "He is also willing to accept help from people who are interested in his voyages." Contributions were apparently not up to expectations, said Mr. Fox. He had been depending on charity, but people were now getting tired of him. For a time after his arrival in Auckland, Mr. Fox continued, accused lived .in a tent, without permission, on property at Mission Bay. On receipt of complaints from residents he was interviewed and told the police, when work was suggested, that he was writing a book, and was not used to manual labour. He was an able-bodied man and was not at all pleased with the way people had treated him in New Zealand. He was something of a problem and had in view a visit to Panama. " Cannot Make Him Work "

A remand for a week was requested, to permit inquiries as to what might be done with him. "He has threatened suicide several times, but I do not think lie means it." said Mr. Fox.

Mr. jl. Mcintosh, collector of customs. said the £lO referred to by accused was a deposit placed with the authorities when he was granted a temporary permit, which had been extended and which had now expired. There was no reason why he could not stay longer, however, if he would settle down to work and earn sufficient to keep himself. His deposit would bo returned to him when he left the country, and if he wanted to visit Panama the fare was. only £3O. "We cannot make him work if he will not work, so the only thing to do is to hold him in custody," said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in granting the remand. Ho said the ease could be reopened before the week expired if any suitable arrangement could be made.