VAGRANT MISER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 11

VAGRANT MISER.

SOONER STARVE THAN PAY. By Telegraph—Press Association GISBORNE, March 9. An unusual case came before Justices of the Peace this afternoon, when a middle-aged man named Robert Crosby, with £B4O in his possession was convicted and discharged on a charge of having insufficient lawful means of support. Some three months ago Crosby was before the Court in Gisborne on a similar charge, and surprise was occasioned when it was found that he had £l2/10/- in Australian notes in his possession. Even more surprise was expressed to-day on Crosby’s reappearance, due to his having been picked up on the road near Tologa Bay in almost a state of collapse through starvation. He had been removed to Tologa Bay Hospital, when a nurse found that he had £B4O in notes pinned in his coat lining. Senior-Sergeant Wade explained that the man was brought before the Court for his own safety, and it had been arranged for Crosby to be taken to a mental home. Crosby replied that he would sooner go back to gaol, as the food there suited him. Gaoler Richardson said Crosby would sooner go back to gaol for ten years if permitted. It did not cost him anything there, and all he did was to sleep in a bunk or lie in the sun.

Crosby was convicted and discharged, on condition that he entered a mental home.

Defendant’s main objection was that he would have to pay something for board.