Scottish Seaman Deserter Threw Beer Bottles Throuoh Window

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 1949, Page 5

Scottish Seaman Deserter Threw Beer Bottles Throuoh Window

‘ AUCKLAND, Last Night (P.A.)— “It staggers one to think of the type of mentality that would do this type of thing,” said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., when William Porleous Bain aged 22, a Scottish seaman, appeared before him charged with being found drunk on July 20, and four charges of mischief involving the breaking of I two glass windows and damaging goods to a total value of £123. Ac-1 cused pleaded guilty to all the; charges. Sub-Inspector Lines told how ac-' cused and three of his seamen friends; were all found drunk. Accused threw : a full bottle of beer through the win-' dow of Brooking's book shop. Books ' and other goods on display were ! damaged. Accused then went to an- i other shop and threw a second full j bottle of beer through another window. Accused’s actions were deliber- { ate. The goods damaged included | broken china, books, and signwriting j on the windows “Your type of case is causing the' public a great deal of concern,” said • Mr. Luxford. “You are a deserting I seaman. Deserting seamen are coming before the courts frequently. The appropriate penalty for a ship deserter is one which must cause the courts a great deal of worry.” Mr. Luxford explained that at first it was thought that to start a deserter’s life in New Zealand with a term of imprisonment would be detrimental. Fori that reason the magistrates felt that it was not in the public interest that men who were coming to live here should start. wit-H a gaol .sentence.] There was only one effective way to i deal with a deserter. It would end | completely what might be termed the! racket of people coming here. The court should have the powers that it had under the Prohibited Immigrant Act. If it. had the power to deport, desertion would be stopped almost im- ! mediately. “You are completely unfit to re- ‘