EXTRAORDINARY SOENE IN A POLICE COURT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1772, 21 February 1888, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY SOENE IN A POLICE COURT

An extraordinary aoeno occurred In the Police Court at Gore on Friday afternoon. A man named Borland was charged with obtaining 2i by fhlse pretences from George Low. On the Bunch were Messrs J. S. Simpson (the Mayor) and Mtsars Souuesa and M'Glbbon. Prisoner pleaded guilty. M.r Sounees at once said the sentenos would be one week's imprisonment m the Invercarglll gaol. The Mayor Interrupted : I am chairman hero, &nd all the deolslona most come through me. Mr Souneßß said he was ohalrmnn. Then ooourred a scene that bffllss deacription The police said the prisoner was an old offender. The Mayor said It was a diegraoe to justice, the way Mr Sounesß and Mr | M'Gibbon acted. He was chairman, and wou'd give the man a month, A struggle wao made for the Court book, and Mesßra Souneaa and M'Gibbon, getting possession of it, made tbe necessary entry and left the Benoh ; the Mayor all the while protesting, and saying that, though they had gone, be would try tbe case bitn aolf. The other Jaatices should be m the place the prisoner occupied. He blamed tbe clerk for favoring Meaars Souceea and M'ftibbon, and said the whole thing was a plot. The polioa Inquired whioh verdict was to bo aoted on, bat no reply was given, and His Worship adjourned the Court till next morning. He would appeal to the Minister of Justice at oace. A telegram from Inspector Buckley gave Bjrland a very bad character.