Disorderly house

Messengers and chauffeurs of the Central Post Office, Dunedin, 1917. Back row: W. J. McCallion, W. H. Drain, S. E. Wragge, T. Lyons. Second row: J. Monaghan, J. A. Weir, W. R. Robertson, J. O. Armour, H. T. Cameron. Third row: A. V. Bowden, L. P. Standen
Messengers and chauffeurs of the Central Post Office, Dunedin, 1917. Back row: W. J. McCallion, W. H. Drain, S. E. Wragge, T. Lyons. Second row: J. Monaghan, J. A. Weir, W. R. Robertson, J. O. Armour, H. T. Cameron. Third row: A. V. Bowden, L. P. Standen (chauffeur), J. McNeill (Head Messenger), C. H. Paul (chauffeur), C. A. McGregor. Front row: S. H. Elliott, D. De Courcy, J. E. H. McFarlane, J. A. Coats. - Otago Witness, 20.6.1917.
A sidelight into the sadness which mars the happiness of some homes was furnished in the Police Court yesterday, when a well-dressed and attractive young married woman appeared before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., charged with being concerned in the conduct of a disorderly house.

Defendant was represented by Mr C. Scurr. From the facts of the case, as outlined by counsel and the police, indications tended to show that defendant, whose husband was on active service, had become the victim of drink and its attendant consequences.

The woman's plight could not be ascribed wholly to a lack of appreciation in regard to moral values; the weakness lay in her inability to counteract the evil influences which surrounded her.

These points were elaborated upon by her counsel, who submitted that the most desirable course for the court to pursue would be to fall in with the suggestion of her relatives, that she should be taken care of by them, and so removed from the evil environment that had up to now encouraged her in her weakness.

Counsel admitted that the explanation of the woman's downfall was liquor, which had been indulged in to an excessive degree.

Defendant could not be legally designated as a keeper of a common brothel, in view of the fact that the question of hire was not involved. Men visited her residence, and assisted to a degree to reduce her house to a ''loose'' level.

Together with compliance with her relatives' request, a prohibition order would, if issued, materially assist in helping defendant to rectify her ways and assist her to follow a fresh path in life. In dismissing the major information, his Worship observed that drink was the root of the trouble.

There was no suggestion of prostitution as recognised by statute. The more efficacious policy to help to redeem defendant would be to issue a prohibition order and commit her to the care of her friends.

The case presented deplorable features insomuch as defendant's children, in order that their future might be safeguarded had been committed to certain institutions. The Magistrate stated that these steps were taken in the best interests of defendant.

USSCo merger accomplished

Sufficient scrip has now been returned to the Union Steam Ship Company's offices in London, New Zealand, and Australia to demonstrate that the proposed fusion between the Union Company and the P. and O. Company may be regarded as an accomplished fact.

It will be of interest to know that a quarter of the shares in the Union Company are held in New Zealand, and that about 40 per cent are held at Home.

It is now no secret that one of the main factors which guided the directorate of the Union Company in strongly recommending the fusion of interests between the two companies to shareholders is the absolute necessity of preparing for the great shipping competition which every commercial man recognises will take place at the conclusion of the war.

An authoritive opinion is that shareholders in the Union Company will speedily come to recognise that the directors acted wisely in the recommendation they made to shareholders.

Brockville road

The Works Committee of the City Council does not favour the application of residents of Brockville for new roadway access to the district, as the number of city ratepayers there would not warrant the large expenditure that would be involved.

Cr Wilson, speaking on this matter last night, said that when the time came for the construction of a road the residents should approach the Government about it, and the City Council might give some assistance.

He thought that if possible the road should go on the sunny side of the creek running through Fraser's Gully.

Home comforts for teachers

The Hawke's Bay Education Board on Friday decided to discountenance the practice of its female teachers living in single bliss in small cottages near schools in country districts (says the Daily Telegraph).

This decision was come to when a request was made from the Sherondon Committee for the erection of a two-roomed cottage in which its teacher might live. The board declined the application.

The acting chairman remarked that it was better for the teacher to live where she would have ''home comforts'', her food cooked for her, and other things she would not have when ''baching''.

- ODT, 14.6.1917.

COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ

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