A CADGER

NZ Truth, Issue 604, 13 January 1917, Page 6

A CADGER

Boozing Lug-biter lumbered McllwainY Loud Laments Like George Washington, 'He Never Told a Lie An emaciated-looking individual named William McHwaitf, popped up serenely before Mr. S. E. McCarthy, SJrL, at ,the Wellington Magistrate's' Court on .Thursday, charged with being too, full for words and \with soliciting alms m that he begged/ from people m Willis-street The charge went to show (as.it usually? does) that Bill was an idle end disorderly person, despite the fact that he was begging away for his living at speed-up rates. The Inspector produced Constable Ganey and Sergeant Sutherland, who proved the charge right up to . the door-knocker. Bill, however, would have none of It "I am 49 years of age and I NEVER' TOLD A LIE m my life — that is, not intentionally. I consider myself one of the best pat-, riotic men it is possible for a colonial to. be. My father died recently at the age of 90. He never had a fire, he never owed a shilling, and he reared 16 of a family. I consider this a very unjust charge. The gentleman sitting before you knows my family m WanganuL \ - Mr. Ward knows 'em, said Bill, who looked as thin as a coal-basket m & muslin blouse. . Continuing, Bill went on to say. that he had been working on Mr. Charles Cockburn- Hood's station, Glendonald, near Masterton. He had a banking account, and the person who looked after the tome m which his wealth was secreted were Messrs. Hugo and Shearer, drapers, of Masterton.

At this stage the whole business was shunted over into the afternoon service to allow of communication with the dry district. It was then ascertained that Bill's statement as to his HAYING WORKED FOR COCKY HOOD was perfectly correct, also, that his volume disclosed an account \>f about £70 to his credit. Something else was disclosed also, and it was that Mac had thTice seen the Interior of the "honeycomb" while In Masterton during the Christmas week. The third occasion had demanded a Wellington visit of seven days, which Bill put In at the Captive's Boardlnghouse. When he came out he sent for some emolument with which to pay his fare back to the would-be politician's station at Glendonald station. Bill, however, bought beor with the "quid" which had been sent to him, and laved his interior with o. strange variety of strong waters. When his capital worked out ho cadged from all and sundry so as to continue the irrigation process, and for this he was landed on the present charge. Ills Worship took a severe look at Bill, and said that ho seemed to be one of those mean individuals who preferred to beg from people who might be considerably poorer than William himself was. This was the fourth occasion during the season on which Bill bad BEEN BAGGED FOR BOOZING. It was evident that ho wanted a llttlo leisure from his strong suit, which was strong drink, so, for one quarter exactly, he would have to refrain from milking Cockie's cows, grooming the hens and shearing the pigs, m the three months intervening he could make hay while the sun shone lv the Terrace gaol meadows.