SANG IN STREET.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 365, 5 March 1932, Page 9

SANG IN STREET.

Accused says He Tried to Support Family.

Stowing away on the steamer Wainui, John Robert Johnson, twentythree years of age, arrived at Invercargill on November 15 last from Australia. In Invercargill, he was convicted on a charge of being a stowaway. Johnson appeared before Mr E. D.'Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with being an idle and disorderly person. He pleaded not guilty. Johnson was further charged with singing in High Street so as to cause an obstruction. He pleaded guilty.

The accused said that he was singing to get money to support a sick mother and two sisters, who were in Australia. Around his neck he carried a card, bearing the inscription: “ Out of work. Singing to earn an honest living to keep a sick mother and two sisters. 'lf you think my cause is worthy of a small donation, I thank you.”

When placed in the witness-box, the accused broke down and wept. He said, in answer to the Magistrate, that he had been up against it all his life. The charge of being idle and disorderly was dismissed, and the accused was convicted and discharged on the charge of singing in the street.