MAGISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2568, 31 July 1909, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

FRIDAY, JULY 30. (Before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M.) VAGRANCY. George E. Watson, a middle-aged man, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person and with having insufficient lawful means of support. The accused* who was undefended, pleaded guilty. Sergeant Hutton said that in consequence of complaints received ho had watched the man for some days, and saw him at the house of a Mr. Lang, in Bright Street. Lang“s wife, two children, a Maori, and accused were at the house. All were under the influence of drink and the language used was disgusting.. The accused' asked the Maori for money to get beer, and the Maori said “You want to fetch a brewery here.” When the accused came out of the house witness accused him of taking drink to Lang’s house while Lang was at work. He admitted having done so, and stated that he had money in the bank. He said he was lodging at Mrs. Mcnzie’s boarding-house and that he paid his way. Witness found a bank book on the accused which showed he had one penny to his credit in the Post Office Savings Bank. The accused admitted that he had not done any work for six weeks. Evidence that the accused was a frequent visitor to hotels and carried away beer 1 in bottles was given by Constable Pratt. His Worship said there were too many of the accused’s class about the town — men who are born tired. For the good ct the place the accused would be sent away. The sentence would be six weeks’ imprisonment in the Napier gaol. A MAINTENANCE ORDER. - John Darvill was called to show 'cause why he had not complied with an order of the Court to contribute towards the support of his mother, Betsy Murtagh. The arrears amounted to £lO. The defendant said he had been out of work for three months. He had only averaged 30s a week as wages' since the order was made. His Worship said the case would be adjourned for a month to allow tho defendant a chance to induce the arrears.