“JOLLIFICATION” SEQUEL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17157, 6 October 1926, Page 7

“JOLLIFICATION” SEQUEL

VAGRANTS GO BEGGING ARREST INSTEAD OF MEAL AND ORDERED OUT OF TOWN After having “a bit of a .jollification down the town” Ernest Rutherford, alias Richardson, alias Molloy, •'l7, and Robert Albert Caffrey, 4.1, felt hungry, and started begging for money-to get a meal. They were earned by a constaoic, but shortly arrerwnrds entered a care and asked for a free “feed.” At this stage tlfe police stepped in, and marched them <dl to the cells. This morning they renewed th. ir acquaintance with the police, when they were hailed before -Messrs ,T. Jackson and A. G. Deere, .1 ’s.L’., to answer to charges of vagrancy. Both men pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Fitzpatrick explained that the two aecuscd appeared to be on the “swag” and arrived in town yesterday. They immediately commenced drinking at various hotel's evidently “cadging” drinks, ami after closing hours they accosted all and sundry, begging for money. Constable McKenzie spoke to them, and they said they would leave town, inn half an hour later the police heard that they had entered a cafe and asked for a free meal. When refused, they commenced begging from the customers, with the result that a number left the rooms. Both men. had previously been before the Court for practically similar offences; they were single men, and there was no reason for them being in their present condition. ACCUSED’S EXCUSES The Bench: What have you to say for yourselves! Rutherford: We’ve just finished a contract at Waikaremoana, and I have about £7 back pay due to me. I called at the Public . Works office here yesterday, but the money is not through yet. “We’re not going to bother waiting for it anyway. Questioned by the Bench, Caffrey said lie was in a similar position. They had mates up the coast and were prepared to go on there. The Bench: Did you have any ' money when you came into town? . Caffrey: Yes; about £2 between us. We were building up hopes of getting the other money. „ Is that all you were able to save after your work at Waikaremoana? Rutherford: Oh, we had a bit of a jollification down the town, I suppose. “This is all news to me,” interpolated the senior-sergeant. “When these men were questioned last night they said they* were working at a station at Tiniroto. Rutherford had nothing, and the other had 3d in. his pocket. ’ ’ Indignant chorus from the dock: We said we were looking for work at Tiniroto. The Bench decided to stand the ease down for a quarter of an hour, to enable a constable to ascertain if the accuseds’ story were true. When the Court resumed, the senio’sergeant. said that it had been discovered that £2 10s was due to Rutherford, while there was nothing due to the other, as far as the books showed. Rutherford: There should be more. Caffrey: There must be an underestimate. The Bench: What have you to say regarding your conduct yesterday, Caffrey? , Caffrey: I don’t remember.^ And you Rutherford? Slightly under the influence, too. Caffrey: If you give us a chance . wo’-11 bo out of town in less than five hours. The Bench: It is evident that you were both working at Waikaremoana, Put the way you carried on yesterday justifies the action of the police in bringing you before the Court. On this occasion we will take a lenient view of the case; you will be convicted and discharged, on condition that you leave town to-day.