Harsh Treatment Alleged

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 63, 8 March 1933, Page 4

Harsh Treatment Alleged

. The Papakura Town Board last night took notice of the ease of an elderly unemployed single man, whom a member, Mr D. Weir, said had been badly treated by the Unemployment Board. The board decided to take steps on the man's behalf. Mr Weir declared that the man was a returned soldier of nearly 60 years of age. He had been recently drafted to a camp at Pirongia, but his circumstances prohibited him from leaving the district. He was then refused employment by the Unemployment Board. Members expressed sympathy with the man, and declared that the board's action had been wrong. They suggested that the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association be advised of the position. Anxious Moments His knowledge of the law was of no avail to a well-known Wellington barrister when he found himself in a “tight" corner during his luncheon hour one day recently at Te Aro Baths. The men's baths were closed to enable girls’ college swimming sports to be held in them, the men having to use the ladies’ baths. With some friends, the lawyer had his swim in. the placid waters of the ladies’ section and just before 2 p.m. started to think about getting dressed again. At this stage the baths were thrown open again to the ladies. A number of girls came in and, seeing the men still in charge of their sanctum, they hastily withdrew, all save one, who did not appear to be in any hurry and saw no reason for a sudden exit. She lingered on. By this time most of the men had managed to put on some of their clothes. The lawyer, however, was in a cubicle having a shower and he had left his towel and clothes elsewhere. The situation was decidely awkward. Poking his head gingerly out of the cubicle he implored the other men nearby to come. .to his assistance. The spectacle was too amusing for the others. They were enjoying the situation and made no stir. But in. the end one of his fellows took pity on the anxious young member of the Bar and brought him sufficient apparel to relieve his embarrassment and enabled him to leave his enforced hiding place, ■