SOLICITING ALMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10319, 29 May 1895, Page 2

SOLICITING ALMS.

MAN ARRESTED. On Tuesday Sergeant Duffin arrested a man who gave his,' name as Henry Thompson, who was soliciting subscriptions from the residents of the town for the purpose of buying a ' cork leg. Tho man started operations in town on Monday, and in a short space of time collected over £4. The circular he produced in soliciting alms was as follows :—: — Good People. — You all, who have sound limbs and hearts opeiyfor the unhappy and those in need, give me a little help to buy a cork' leg, so I will be able to support my fa-nijy and myself. I have got a good wife and threo small children, who look to me for their bread. Having lost my leg by cancer, and being without frieudß or resources, I have nothing else left but trust in the generosity of my fellow-men to help me get a cork leg. Remember, friends, that the bread you throw on the water will float back to you, and the help you give to a fellow-man in distress will snrely be on ,the credit side of your account book. — Respectfully, H. Tiiompson. He also, it is alleged, 'produced a subscription list, on which were the namds of residents at Inglewood and elsewhere, and while scanning this a local gentleman had his suspicions aroused, and acquainted the police; hence tho arrest. BEFORE THE COURT. Before the S.M. this (Wednesday) morning, Henry Thompson was charged that on May 28, at New Plymouth, ho committed a breach of ' ""Tho Police Offences Act, 1884," section 28, sub-sec-lion 3, in that he did solicit, gather, or collect alms, subscriptions or contributions, to wit, money, under false pretences. Sorgt. Duffin informed His Worship that he arrested the accused in the town on Tuesday afternoon. Accused was going to Inglewood, whither,'he'belioved, he had sent a cork leg in a box. In order to enable the police to make further enquiries, and to enable Mr Weatoh, tho accused's Counsel, to be in attendance, he would ask for a remand till Tuesday next. The accused, who began to cry, was accordingly remanded, iThe Court rose. ;