HIBERNATING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 650, 30 April 1929, Page 13

HIBERNATING

VAGRANTS PUT AWAY FOR WINTER THREE MONTHS 1 GAOL “Put them away for the winter.’’ commented Mr. F. K. Hunt S.M., as he sentenced two vagrants to three months’ imprisonment each at the Police Court this morning. DT EI ’ KEANE, a labourer, aged 44, was said by Sub-Inspector McCarthy to have a long list. “He was found last night hiding behind a door in an empty house," continued the sub-inspector. “He had only one penny in his pockets.” Keane pleaded guilty on a charge of vagrancy. RAKING IN RUBBISH Described by Acting-Detective Craigie as earning a crust by raking in rubbish tips, John Collie indignantly denied that he was idle and disorderly, or lacking means of support. Collie, a labourer, aged 60, was also charged with stealing a telephone receiver valued at 7s 6d from the Post and Telegraph Department. He pleaded not guilty. The detective said that Collie was trying to sell the receiver. He was living in a hut near the Newmarket railway yards. .‘ .i v-- , . “It is a serious thing when men like this wrench the receivers from public telephones,” remarked ChiefDetective Hammond. “It is not so much the toss of the fitting as the inconvenience to the public.” Collie maintained that he had foun,d the receiver in a dump for condemned fittings. Mr. Hunt: Never mind about that. What about your raking in rubbish tips for a living? Staff-Captain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, said that Collie had been in the Army home. He would do no work, however, and his drinking habits had made it impossible to keep him there. Collie: I have a home. Of course, it is not the best in the world, but at least I am under cover. The magistrate considered that a gaol term was the only thing for the man.