DELIA DISLIKES POINT HALSWELL

NZ Truth, Issue 1030, 22 August 1925, Page 6

DELIA DISLIKES POINT HALSWELL

No '.Woman's' Prison For Her HOW SHE SAW YELLOW IN TORY STREET An American Sailor and His Slippery Soy. "Don't send me to the Point. Do anything you like with me, prohibit me, or anything', but don't send me to the Point,, for my husband's sake!" Delia Hazel Gorrie sobbed out the words m the Wellington Magistrate's Court when charged with drunkenness and theft of a sovereign from an American sailor.

She pleaded not guilty to stealing the sovereign, but admitted that she had had a- few m m Tory Street the night previously. This young woman, very well dressed with a fur coat and cloche hat, was acquitted by. the Supreme Court, recently on a charge of theft from the person m a drunken escapade m one of the city parks. The first witness called was a freshfaced lad m the naval uniform of the U.S.A., who said his name was Gail Mete, and that he was a first class seaman on the battleship Oklahoma. On Tuesday he was ashore with his mate, and between 5.30 and 6 they sampled the fish and chips provided by a restaurant m Tory Street, and liked it so much that they had a return. Accused entered during • the feasting, with a male companion, and inquired from an adjoining" table for a loan of witness's glass. "Sure," replied Sammy, and handed it over. They all started talking, and the discussion was continued outside, where accused was joined by another man, whom she introduced as her husband's cousin. Talk drifted to the, appearance of sovereigns m circulation since the fleet's visit, and witness's companion produced for her edification a frsshly-minted one. She

was so pleased with its appearance that she hung on to it. The owner didn't say much to start with, but. when the party of civilians determined to board a tramcar the two sailors hopped m too., and one declared "this thing: has gone far enough." Witness said he thought he saw the woman slip something under her left arm to her "husband's cousin," and a moment after "that guy jumped clean off the trolleycar. Gee, it was doin' fifty," said witness, "and he rolled over on the ground." Witness directed his mate to watch the woman while^ he hopped off, too, as soon as the car slowed down* and made for "that other fella." A policeman was on the scene, and shortly all hands were mustered into a taxi. The sovereign was found< on the floor of the vehicle 'as they were driving to the police station. "I'd rather get it over, and I'll plead guilty," wailed accused at this stage. Sub-Inspector I-Iollis: In that case, your Worship, I would like to call some evidence to show that she is a common prostitute. Accused wailed dismally, declaring that, she was nothing of the sort, and

that her husband kept her. Don t send me to the Point," she squealed. The Hub-Inspector said the charge on which she ; was acquitted by the Supreme Court recently was o£ taking a drunken man down. She had previously been convicted for drunkenness.

Accused: Take out a prohibition order. Do .anything: you like, but — — The Magistrate (Mr. Riddell, S.M.): Will you keep quiet, please! Detective Cooper was, then called. He said he knew the woman to be a common prostitute. ;., This, to accused, was the unkmdest cut of all. Renewed wails and protestations followed the detective's narrative. .•,,!■ The woman, he continued, resided at Whiteman's Valley when she was at. home, but she was mostly m town consorting with . shady characters around Tory Street. The Magistrate f-aid he was not disposed to commit the woman to an institution just yet, but he would point out that continuance of her conduct would inevitably land her m one. Nothing was surer. With that admonition she would be convicted and discharged for drunkenness and fined 40s, m default seven days, on the charge of theft. , ;