ARRESTED FOR VAGRANCY

NZ Truth, Issue 510, 27 March 1915, Page 8

ARRESTED FOR VAGRANCY

Ex-Striker Taken m Charge Driving the Dour Democrats from the Waterfront Willie Percy Story Snared. What might be described as a sensational arrest, but which, to "Truth," was not unexpected, took place on Wednesday morning last of that somewhat indifferent Individual who, at various periods (particularly last election), has made himself somewhat notorious. William Percy Story, on no less a change than that of vagrancy, was arrested and charged by Detective Mick Gourley. He was locked up at the police station and, as "Truth" proposes to show, was m a very great way about it.- , It is particularly necessary to go back to the period of the last election (or before it), when Willie Percy announced himself as the Liberal Labor candidate for Parnell and was prepared to .stand against all comers. Never m Auckland's history were there^ such gatherings as those addressed by Willie Percy, and it is also recalled that Willie was so UNGRATEFUL TO "TRUTH" for giving full verbatim reports of his awfully funny meeting that he went baldheaded for this paper and threatened all and sundry with annihilation, libel actions and what not. However, Willie Percy had a bit of bad luck. When he arrived a minute or two late with his nomination paper to the Parnell electoral office, Returning Offioer .Massey, asserting the power vested m him, refused the nomination as Willie Peroy was just a bit too late. Everybody then sympathised with Willie Percy, who dropped out of public life. However, the approaching Mayoral elections gave Willie Percy another opportunity of coming to light. He aspired to be Auckland's first citizen and offered himself up as a Labor candidate providing that the Labor bodies were unanimous m their demand for Willie Percy to come out. Happily or unhappily the Labor bodies were by no means unanimous, and Willie Pei'cy's aspirations m that direction came to an abrupt termination. Not to be baulked,, Willie Percy managed TO GET IN THE LIMELIGHT a bit and, quite recently, it came to light that he had been nominated by somebody or other for an Education Board seat or something of that sort, Unfortunately for Willie Percy, his appearance of late has not been significant of affluence, and the police cast sinister eyes on him. Detective Gourley, quite recently, gave Willie Percy the chat that he had better get work or something. Willie Percy, "Truth" [ learns, then gave it out that he was some financier, and was very, busy floating a loan for the Mt. Eden Borough Council, which, of course, is all my eye. Willie Percy, to show that he had forgiven "Truth" and "Truth," on its part, showing that It;, bore Willie Peroy no animosity, condescended to listen to his tale of injustice. It learned from Willie Percy that the reason why the police were down on him was bej cause they feared that, should he enter public life m the Dominion m any capacity, he would prove a menace to them by exposing the existing corruption to be found everywhere, particularly among the police. The police were not satisfied that Willie Percy intended floating a huge loan for the Borough, which recently showed its UNWILLINGNESS TO GO TO . COHEN, having promptly turned down Mayor Nicholson's loan proposals. Seeing that he was following no legitimate employment, the police nabbed him on Wednesday, as mentioned, and, when searched, the sum of sevenpence was I found m his possession. As it was not possible that Willie Percy could bo brought before the magistrate that | morning he was obliged to wait till Thursday m order that he might be dealt with. It has also got to be mentioned that "Demon" Gourley had a fairly busy day on Wednesday m arresting allegI ed vagrants because, the same morning, he landed on a charge of vagrancy, one William Alexander Johnston, who is an ex-striker, said to have been warned against frequenting the wharves, and who it Is alleged has defied the police to arrest him. Anyhow, Johnson had tho sum of £8 on him when arrested and was released on bail. 1 Incidentally ' "Truth," which is not endeavoring to anticipate anything, Is looking forward to some interesting developments m the Johnston case, particularly concerning- the new Arbitration Union. It sumces "Truth," meantime, to say that Johnston was one of several individuals who had called at tho ofllce of this paper to enlighten us on men and matters pertaining to tho wharf. Johnston called at "Truth" ofllce immediately after ho HAD BEEN RELEASED ON BAIL and communicated to us the. fact that, while In the cell at the lock- up. he had as his companion Willie Percy, who bitterly bemoaned his wrotched fute and Imploringly Inquired from Johnston what could be done to him, Johnston assured "Truth" that, despite his own troubles, he consoled Willie as best he could and fissured him that nothlnp could bo dono to him. Ak both casos are more or lons of Importance to the community. "Truth" proposes to publish m Its next I*hu« h full verbatim report of tho proceedings.