Vagrancy Act 1902 - NSW Legislation

Act No. 74, 1902. An Act to consolidate the Acts for the prevention of Vagrancy. [11th September, 1902.]

B

E it e n a c t e d b y t h e K i n g ' s M o s t E x c e l l e n t M a j e s t y , b y a n d w i t h t h e advice a n d c o n s e n t of t h e L e g i s l a t i v e C o u n c i l a n d L e g i s l a t i v e A s s e m b l y of N e w S o u t h W a l e s in P a r l i a m e n t assembled, a n d b y t h e a u t h o r i t y of t h e s a m e , as follows :—Preliminary

and

Interpretation.

1. T h i s A c t m a y be cited as t h e " V a g r a n c y A c t , 1 9 0 2 . " 2. T h e V a g r a n c y A c t , 1 9 0 1 , is h e r e b y repealed. 3. I n t h i s A c t , unless t h e c o n t e x t or s u b j e c t m a t t e r otherwise indicates or r e q u i r e s , — " A b o r i g i n a l " m e a n s a n a b o r i g i n a l n a t i v e of N e w S o u t h W a l e s . " I d l e or disorderly person " m e a n s e v e r y p e r s o n w h o c o m m i t s a n y offence m e n t i o n e d in subsection one of section four. " I n c o r r i g i b l e r o g u e " m e a n s e v e r y person w h o c o m m i t s a n y offence m e n t i o n e d in subsection t h r e e of section four. " J u s t i c e " m e a n s j u s t i c e of t h e peace. " R o g u e a n d v a g a b o n d " m e a n s every person w h o c o m m i t s a n y offence m e n t i o n e d in subsection t w o of section four. Offences. 4 . (1) W h o s o e v e r — (a) h a v i n g n o visible l a w f u l m e a n s of s u p p o r t , or insufficient l a w f u l m e a n s , does not, o n b e i n g r e q u i r e d b y or s u m m o n e d to a p p e a r or b r o u g h t before a j u s t i c e i n p u r s u a n c e of t h e provisions of t h i s A c t , give a good a c c o u n t of his m e a n s of s u p p o r t to t h e satisfaction of t h e j u s t i c e ; (b) n o t b e i n g a n a b o r i g i n a l , or t h e child of a n aboriginal, lodges or w a n d e r s i n c o m p a n y with a n y aboriginal, a n d does n o t , o n b e i n g r e q u i r e d b y a j u s t i c e , give t o his satisfaction a good a c c o u n t t h a t h e h a s a lawful fixed place of residence i n N e w S o u t h W a l e s a n d lawful m e a n s of s u p p o r t , a n d t h a t h e so lodged or w a n d e r e d for some t e m p o r a r y a n d l a w f u l occasion only, a n d did n o t c o n t i n u e so to do b e y o n d s u c h o c c a s i o n ; (c) b e i n g a c o m m o n p r o s t i t u t e , w a n d e r s i n a n y s t r e e t or p u b l i c h i g h w a y , or is in a n y place of p u b l i c resort, a n d in c i t h e r case b e h a v e s in a r i o t o u s or i n d e c e n t m a n n e r ; (d) b e i n g a h a b i t u a l d r u n k a r d , t h r i c e convicted of d r u n k e n n e s s w i t h i n t h e p r e c e d i n g twelve m o n t h s , b e h a v e s i n a r i o t o u s or i n d e c e n t m a n n e r in a n y street, p u b l i c h i g h w a y , or place of public resort; (e)

(e) is t h e h o l d e r of a house f r e q u e n t e d by r e p u t e d t h i e v e s or p e r s o n s w h o h a v e no visible lawful m e a n s of s u p p o r t ; ( f ) is found i n a house f r e q u e n t e d b y r e p u t e d thieves, or persons w h o h a v e n o visible lawful m e a n s of s u p p o r t i n c o m p a n y w i t h r e p u t e d thieves or s u c h persons, a n d does n o t o n b e i n g r e q u i r e d b y a j u s t i c e give to his satisfaction a good a c c o u n t of his lawful m e a n s of s u p p o r t , a n d of his b e i n g in s u c h h o u s e o n a lawful occasion ; (g) w a n d e r s abroad, or places himself i n a p u b l i c place, street, h i g h w a y , c o u r t , or passage t o b e g or g a t h e r a l m s ; (h) causes, procures, or encourages a n y child to w a n d e r a b r o a d , or place himself i n a p u b l i c place, street, h i g h w a y , court, or p a s s a g e to b e g or g a t h e r a l m s , shall, o n c o n v i c t i o n before a n y j u s t i c e , b y his own view or otherwise, be liable t o i m p r i s o n m e n t w i t h h a r d l a b o u r for a t e r m n o t e x c e e d i n g six m o n t h s . (2) W h o s o e v e r — (a) h a v i n g b e e n convicted u n d e r this or a n y former A c t of a n y s u c h offence as is m e n t i o n e d i n t h e last p r e c e d i n g subsection a f t e r w a r d s c o m m i t s a n y offence i n t h e said subsection mentioned; (6) goes a b o u t g a t h e r i n g a l m s u n d e r false p r e t e n c e of loss b y fire or o t h e r c a s u a l t y , or as collector u n d e r a n y false p r e t e n c e ; (c) imposes or e n d e a v o u r s to i m p o s e u p o n a n y c h a r i t a b l e i n s t i t u t i o n or p r i v a t e i n d i v i d u a l , b y false or f r a u d u l e n t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s , w i t h a view t o o b t a i n m o n e y or o t h e r benefit or a d v a n t a g e ; (d) wilfully a n d obscenely exposes h i s p e r s o n i n or i n view of a n y street, road, or p u b l i c h i g h w a y , or in a n y place of p u b l i c resort; (e) p l a y s or b e t s a t a n y u n l a w f u l g a m e ; (f) p l a y s or b e t s i n a n y street, road, h i g h w a y , or o t h e r o p e n a n d p u b l i c place, a t or w i t h a n y t a b l e or i n s t r u m e n t of g a m i n g , a t a n y g a m e or p r e t e n d e d g a m e of c h a n c e ; (g) h a s i n his c u s t o d y or possession a n y i m p l e m e n t w i t h i n t e n t feloniously t o b r e a k i n t o a n y d w e l l i n g - h o u s e , w a r e h o u s e , c o a c h h o u s e , stable or o u t - b u i l d i n g ; (h) is a r m e d w i t h a n y offensive w e a p o n , or h a s u p o n h i m a n y i n s t r u m e n t , w i t h i n t e n t t o c o m m i t a n y felonious a c t ; (i) h a v i n g a n y u n l a w f u l p u r p o s e is found i n a n y d w e l l i n g - h o u s e , w a r e h o u s e , coachhouse, s t a b l e , or o u t h o u s e , or i n a n y enclosed y a r d , g a r d e n , or area, or on b o a r d a n y ship or vessel i n a n y p o r t , h a r b o u r , or place w i t h i n N e w S o u t h W a l e s ; (j) b e i n g a suspected person or r e p u t e d thief frequents a n y river, c a n a l , or n a v i g a b l e s t r e a m , dock or basin, or a n y q u a y , wharf, or w a r e h o u s e n e a r or a d j o i n i n g t h e r e t o , or a n y street, highway,

h i g h w a y , or a v e n u e leading t h e r e t o , or a n y place of p u b l i c resort, or a n y a v e n u e l e a d i n g t h e r e t o , or a n y street, h i g h w a y , or place adjacent, w i t h i n t e n t to c o m m i t felony ; (k) on b e i n g a p p r e h e n d e d as a n idle a n d disorderly person, violently resists t h e constable or peace officer a p p r e h e n d i n g h i m , a n d is s u b s e q u e n t l y convicted of t h e offence for w h i c h h e was a p p r e h e n d e d , shall, on conviction before a n y justice, be liable to i m p r i s o n m e n t w i t h h a r d l a b o u r for a t e r m n o t exceeding six m o n t h s , a n d every s u c h i m p l e m e n t , offensive weapon, a n d i n s t r u m e n t as aforesaid shall, b y t h e conviction of t h e offender, become forfeited to t h e K i n g ' s M a j e s t y . (3) Whosoever— (a) b r e a k s or escapes o u t of a n y place of legal c o n f i n e m e n t before t h e e x p i r a t i o n of t h e t e r m for w h i c h h e was c o m m i t t e d or ordered to be confined b y v i r t u e of t h i s A c t ; (b) h a v i n g b e e n convicted u n d e r t h i s or a n y former A c t of a n y s u c h offence as is m e n t i o n e d i n t h e last p r e c e d i n g subsection, after­ w a r d s c o m m i t s a n y offence in t h e said subsection m e n t i o n e d ; (c) o n b e i n g a p p r e h e n d e d as a r o g u e a n d v a g a b o n d violently resists t h e constable a p p r e h e n d i n g h i m , a n d is s u b s e q u e n t l y convicted of t h e offence for w h i c h he w a s a p p r e h e n d e d , shall, on conviction before a n y j u s t i c e , be liable t o be c o m m i t t e d to prison w i t h h a r d l a b o u r u n t i l t h e n e x t C o u r t of Q u a r t e r Sessions is h e l d i n t h e district w i t h i n or n e a r e s t to w h i c h t h e offence w a s committed. 5. T h e C o u r t of Q u a r t e r Sessions m a y e x a m i n e i n t o t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of t h e case, a n d , u p o n conviction, order t h e offender t o be f u r t h e r i m p r i s o n e d a n d k e p t to h a r d l a b o u r for a t e r m n o t e x c e e d i n g t w e l v e m o n t h s from t h e t i m e of m a k i n g s u c h order. 6. W h e n e v e r a justice c o m m i t s a n incorrigible rogue to prison u n t i l t h e h o l d i n g of a Court of Q u a r t e r Sessions, he shall r e q u i r e t h e , person b y w h o m t h e offender w a s a p p r e h e n d e d , a n d e v e r y person whose evidence a p p e a r s m a t e r i a l to p r o v e t h e offence, t o b e c o m e b o u n d b y recognizance to a p p e a r at t h e C o u r t of Q u a r t e r Sessions to give evidence a g a i n s t t h e offender t o u c h i n g t h e offence, a n d m a y c o m m i t t o prison a n y s u c h person w h o refuses to e n t e r i n t o a recognizance u n t i l h e does so, or is otherwise d i s c h a r g e d b y d u e course of l a w . 7. W h o s o e v e r , in a n y p u b l i c street, t h o r o u g h f a r e , or place, or Within t h e view or h e a r i n g of a person p a s s i n g t h e r e i n — (a) sings a n y obscene s o n g or ballad ; (b) w r i t e s or d r a w s a n y i n d e c e n t or obscene word, figure, or r e p r e s e n t a t i o n ; or (c) uses a n y profane, i n d e c e n t , or obscene l a n g u a g e , shall be liable, on conviction before a j u s t i c e , to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g five p o u n d s . 8.

8. W h o s o e v e r , i n a n y p u b l i c street, t h o r o u g h f a r e , or place, u s e s a n y t h r e a t e n i n g , a b u s i v e , or i n s u l t i n g words or b e h a v i o u r w i t h i n t e n t t o p r o v o k e a b r e a c h of t h e p e a c e , or w h e r e b y a b r e a c h of t h e peace m a y be occasioned, shall, on c o n v i c t i o n before a j u s t i c e , b e liable to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g five p o u n d s . Apprehension

of offenders

and suspected

persons.

9. (1) A n y p e r s o n found offending a g a i n s t t h i s A c t m a y be a p p r e h e n d e d b y a c o n s t a b l e or o t h e r p e r s o n , a n d f o r t h w i t h t a k e n before a j u s t i c e t o b e dealt w i t h as directed b y t h i s A c t . (2) W h e n e v e r a person other t h a n a constable apprehends a n offender h e m a y deliver h i m to a c o n s t a b l e to b e t a k e n before a justice. ( 3 ) E v e r y c o n s t a b l e w h o refuses or wilfully n e g l e c t s t o t a k e i n t o h i s c u s t o d y , or t a k e before a j u s t i c e , a p e r s o n so delivered t o h i m , or does n o t u s e his best e n d e a v o u r s t o a p p r e h e n d a n d convey before a j u s t i c e a n y p e r s o n w h o m h e finds offending a g a i n s t t h i s A c t , shall be d e e m e d t o h a v e n e g l e c t e d his d u t y w i t h i n t h e m e a n i n g of section thirteen. 10. A n y j u s t i c e u p o n i n f o r m a t i o n o n o a t h before h i m m a d e t h a t a n idle a n d disorderly person, a r o g u e a n d v a g a b o n d , or a n i n c o r r i g i b l e r o g u e is, or is r e a s o n a b l y suspected t o be, h a r b o u r e d or concealed i n a n y h o u s e k e p t , or p u r p o r t i n g to b e k e p t , for t h e r e c e p t i o n , l o d g i n g , or e n t e r t a i n m e n t of t r a v e l l e r s or o t h e r s , m a y b y w a r r a n t u n d e r his h a n d a n d seal a u t h o r i s e a n y c o n s t a b l e or o t h e r person t o e n t e r a t a n y t i m e i n t o s u c h h o u s e , a n d a p p r e h e n d a n d b r i n g before h i m or some o t h e r j u s t i c e every idle a n d d i s o r d e r l y person, r o g u e a n d v a g a b o n d , or i n c o r r i g i b l e r o g u e found t h e r e i n t o be d e a l t w i t h in t h e m a n n e r directed by this Act. Seizure

and disposal

of property

of

offenders.

1 1 . A n y c o n s t a b l e or o t h e r person a p p r e h e n d i n g a p e r s o n c h a r g e d w i t h b e i n g a n idle a n d disorderly person, r o g u e a n d v a g a b o n d , or incorrigible r o g u e , m a y t a k e a n y horse, c a t t l e , vehicle or goods, in t h e possession or u s e of t h e p e r s o n a p p r e h e n d e d , a n d c o n v e y t h e m before a j u s t i c e . 12. W h e n e v e r a p e r s o n is a d j u d g e d t o b e a n idle a n d disorderly p e r s o n , or a r o g u e a n d v a g a b o n d , or a n incorrigible r o g u e , t h e convicting justice may order— (a) t h e offender t o b e s e a r c h e d , a n d (b) his t r u n k s , boxes, b u n d l e s , parcels or p a c k a g e s to be i n s p e c t e d in t h e p r e s e n c e of t h e j u s t i c e a n d t h e offender, a n d (c) a n y vehicle f o u n d i n t h e offender's possession or use to b e s e a r c h e d in t h e offender's p r e s e n c e , a n d (d)

(d) a n y m o n e y w h i c h is t h e n found w i t h or u p o n t h e offender to h e paid a n d applied t o w a r d s t h e e x p e n s e of a p p r e h e n d i n g t h e offender a n d c o n v e y i n g h i m t o prison a n d m a i n t a i n i n g h i m d u r i n g t h e t e r m for w h i c h h e is c o m m i t t e d , a n d t h e overplus of s u c h m o n e y t o he returned t o t h e offender, a n d (e) i n t h e e v e n t of sufficient m o n e y for t h e purposes aforesaid n o t b e i n g f o u n d u p o n s u c h s e a r c h t h a t t h e p a r t , or if necessary t h e w h o l e of t h e offender's o t h e r effects t h e n found, b e sold a n d t h e p r o d u c e of t h e sale paid a n d applied as aforesaid, a n d t h e overplus of such effects r e t u r n e d to t h e offender after d e d u c t i n g t h e c h a r g e s for t h e sale. Neglect

of duty by

constable.

13. E v e r y constable w h o n e g l e c t s his d u t y in of h i m b y t h i s A c t shall, o n c o n v i c t i o n before one o r . liable to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g five p o u n d s . Hindering

constable

in execution

of

duly.

14. E v e r y p e r s o n w h o d i s t u r b s or h i n d e r s a n y c o n s t a b l e or o t h e r p e r s o n i n t h e e x e c u t i o n of this A c t , or aid, a b e t s , or assists i n so doing, shall, o n conviction before one or m o r e justices, b e liable t o a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g five p o u n d s . Actions

against

justices

and

others.

15. (1) E v e r y action b r o u g h t a g a i n s t a justice, constable, or o t h e r p e r s o n for a n y m a t t e r or t h i n g , done or c o m m i t t e d b y h i m or i n e x e c u t i o n of his d u t y or office u n d e r t h i s A c t , shall b e c o m m e n c e d w i t h i n t h r e e m o n t h s after t h e cause of action or c o m p l a i n t arose. ( 2 ) I f a n y person is sued for a n y m a t t e r or t h i n g done in t h e e x e c u t i o n of t h i s A c t , ' h e m a y plead t h e g e n e r a l issue, a n d give t h e special m a t t e r i n evidence. ( 3 ) T h e d e f e n d a n t in a n y s u c h action shall, if j u d g m e n t b e g i v e n i n h i s favour, h a v e t r e b l e costs a w a r d e d t o h i m b y t h e C o u r t , u n l e s s t h e J u d g e certifies t h a t t h e r e w a s a r e a s o n a b l e cause for s u c h action. A application of penalties. 16. A l l p e n a l t i e s or forfeitures imposed b y t h i s A c t shall, w h e n recovered, b e paid as follows, t h a t is t o say, one m o i e t y i n t o t h e Consolidated R e v e n u e F u n d , a n d t h e o t h e r m o i e t y i n t o t h e Police Reward F u n d .

2 M

Act