FOUR MEN CHARGED

Southland Times, Issue 21263, 9 December 1930, Page 5

FOUR MEN CHARGED

DRINKING METHYLATED SPIRITS. RESULTANT HARM STRESSED. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, December 8. Four men, who were described by Detec-tive-Sergeant Kelly as “methylated spirit kings,” came before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court. Three of them had been arrested on charges of drunkenness and the fourth on a charge deeming him to be an incorrigible rogue and vagabond. Ravages of the methylated spirits they had been imbibing during the week-end were reflected in their faces. One man was trembling to such an extent that a policeman had almost to carry him from the dock back to the prisoner room. Two were remanded for a week for medical treatment.

“These men go about the city in gangs frequenting the parks and drinking methylated spirits,” said Detective-Sergeant Kelly. “Your Worship has only to look at them to see the harm that the spirit does when taken internally.” Mr Hunt: I know there is a man in the morgue this morning, who has been drinking methylated spirits. He was found dead yesterday. Concerning the man charged with being an incorrigible rogue and vagabond, James Edgar Steere, aged 59, Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that he was a derelict and a methylated spirits addict. “They won’t have him in the city shelters and he has been sleeping out in Campbell Park. Nothing can be done with hin fc ” added the Detective-Sergeant. Sieere, who had 52 previous convictions and was said to be in a filthy condition, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. “He's better up above where he will be fed and kept clean,” remarked the Magistrate.