“A SOCIAL PEST.”

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 5

“A SOCIAL PEST.”

RESISTING THE POLICE. NOT LONG IN MAKING START. SUBSTANTIAL FINE IMPOSED. With a list of twelve previous convictions to his credit, spread over a period of fifteen years, Frank Fitzwilliams, aged 39 years, appeared before -Messrs W. F. Mason and J. W. Walsh, J.’s.P., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with using indecent language -and with resisting the police. He pleaded guilty to both charges. The Senior-Sergeant explained that accused, with three companions, entered into a heated argument in a hotel bar, and as a result was ejected by the licensee. He was accosted by a constable outside the -hotel, and there used the language complained of. When the officer on duty attempted to arrest him he broke away, and the assistance of another policeman had to be solicited to handcuff him and remove -him to the station. > “This man is something of a social pest,” added the Senior-Sergeant. “He was before the Court during show week of last year for playing a game of chanoe, and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.” Plea for Accused. Accused’s counsel, who appeared on the request of Fitzwilliams’ friends, told the Bench that drink was his client’s weakness, -and that he was prepared to take out a prohibition order if a fine would meet the case. Accused would, in any case, be debarred from participating in the Show. The Justices queried whether a prohibition order would be of any use under the circumstances, as accused was a bird of passage. Accused told the Court that his home was in Hastings, and that he arrived in Hamilton the day before yesterday. “You were not long in making a start,” said Mr Mason. “Why, we had you here twelve months’ ago,” the Bench remarked, after a perusal of accused’s record. “That was for another thing—for a game of chance," prisoner replied with a grin. “But you paid us a visit," rejoined Mr Mason. Continuing, Mr Mason told accused that the language was positively disgraceful. He could understand a Zulu using the language, but not a man of accused's age.. It was apparent that accused could not be permitted to attend the Show. Accused was fined £lO, with costs 30s, in default two months’ inn prisonment, on the charge of using indecent language, and was convicted without penalty on the other charge.