CHARGE OF BEGGING

Southland Times, Issue 20633, 3 November 1928, Page 8

CHARGE OF BEGGING

TWO MEN CONVICTED. Two unfortunates with a down-and-out appearance were brought before the Magistrate, Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., yesterday on charges of drunkenness and begging. George Sidney Smith, an elderly man, was charged with being found drunk in Dee street and with being an idle and disorderly person in that he did beg for alms in a public place. Smith pleaded guilty to the first and not guilty to the second charge. Constable Fraser said that Smith asked him for the loan of one shilling. Smith was with another man who had a bottle of methylated spirits in his possession. They both smelt of the spirits. Smith said that he was a wool-classer and was going to a job on December 3. Sergeant Abel said that the accused had two previous convictions for drunkenness within the last six months. He always gave the same excuse as regards going to work. He was just about due for a trip to the island. Smith was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour on the first charge and convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon on the second charge. William Francis Ramsay was charged with being an idle and disorderly person in that he did beg for alms in a public place. Ramsay pleaded not guilty. A witness said that Ramsay stopped him in Clyde street and asked for his train fare to Bluff. The accused appeared quite sober and walked on when the request was refused.

Ramsay denied all knowledge of having asked for money and said that he had never wanted to go to Bluff. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, the Magistrate remarking that he had better leave the town, for if he was apprehended again he would be sentenced to hard labour.