“I DID IT”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10964, 28 July 1921, Page 2

“I DID IT”

' ONLY A PENNY LEFT. DESTITUTE MAN AT POLICE STATION. A,a Constables Hargraves and Duke were quietly meditating on the peacefulness of that winter’s eve an the warm comfort at the Auckland police station (ivritea tihe “Times” special correspondent), there came a crash and a smash and a thud to their startled ears. A shower of glass and a hurtling stone mdio.ited the occasion, an<i the cold air from outside , swept in through a broken window to dispel the indoor snugness or police headquarters. Constable Hargraves went to the watchlxouse door, and there came to him a man who said, “I did Jitl “Oosme inside,” said the officer, and the stranger entered, 'and told his tale before the fire. He was out of work, destitute —and desperate. “My name is Harry Brown, he said, repaying to tiho not- umlriaKUy queetaona of ‘the 1 officers of the ‘law. 4t l am. a native of JSngluind, 42 yeajis of age. I have been in Nerw Zealand for the past 15 years. I e»m a labourer by occupation. I tvas last in employment ; as roaisaaheut to a farmer near "Wa/itiaru/. I left there a mcaith ago, as the job had finished. I then £5. I have tramped about the country ever since looking for without success. I came to Auckland on 19th inst. from Masterton. I tried hard to obtain work hero, hut failed. I stayed last night at a house in Hobson street, paying my .way there. I had 9d left this morning, and had a cup of, tea and cakes. This left me one penny. 1 tramped about the city today looking for a job. I attended the meeting of the unemployed in the city, it Was not ’that fact which made me break this window. I had made up my mind to pack my aw ag again to-day and go back into the country- but what’s the use ? for things are as bad for -work there as they are in the city. So I made up my mind 1 to he locked' up to get away from the bad weather. I came up 'here and found a stone just, outride. I threw it through the window. I could not think of any other way to get looked up.” Brown, at court, was ordered to pay 35s damages, or go to gaol for a fortnight. As he had no money but a penny, be went to gaol.