PROCURING GIRLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 6

PROCURING GIRLS.

DUNEDIN SCOUNDREL SENT TO GAOL. [Per Pbjsss Association.] DUNEDIN, July 25. Ernest Sylvester Phillip Ebzery pleaded guilty at the Police Court tliis morning to a'charge oi : keeping a house of ill fame at North-cast Harbour. The Magistrate, Mr Young, before the facts were stated, ordered the crowded Court to be cleared.

Chief Detective Bishop said that tho evidence gathered by detectives revealed shocking facts, proving that not only was the accused a brothel-keeper of the worst type, but was a procurer of girls. Que was a mere girl ol seventeen, another a soldier',-! wife whose husband was now lighting in France With the exception of two, all the girls about whom he had evidence of being at the house were in respectable situations. One was formerly in accused's employ, and he obtained evil influence over her, and she assisted him to procure fresh girls from amongst her working companions. The- .Magistrate said that accused was liable to twelve n oi'lhs' imprisonment, hut under the Military Service Act a man who served that term ceased to become a reservist. Accused would therefore be sentenced to eleven months' imprisonment with hard labour. The Magistrate considered a suggestion that a tine would be sufficient was out of the question.