CURIOUS SCENE IN COURT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 77, 13 April 1877, Page 3

CURIOUS SCENE IN COURT.

The Auckland correspondent of the Dunedin Evening Star sends that journal tlie following account of a curious scene which occurred in the Auckland Police Court on Tuesday last: — Henry Shildon, a tall man with a scowl on his face, appeared in the dock with folded arms. While the police were giving evidence, the prisoner, who was charged with vagrancy, frequently interrupted in an excited way, and said, " I'll make you listen to me ! Don't care what you say! Who are you, I should like to know ? Justice indeed ! Pshaw ! I am above you or anyone else in this Court. lam a mariner. I'm a naval officer ; that's what I am. I'll d—d soon make you hear me! Look at my head ? that scar was caused by a blow of a truncheon." Mr. Cosgrave (one of the Magistrates) : " Is he right ?" Prisoner: " Right; yes, as right as you are. What right have you to sit there to administer justice ? What have you ever done ? Nothing but loaf about Auckland all your - life. I'll be be bound you, neither of you, ever fired a shot or steered a ship in your lives, and yet you sit there and mete out pretended justice." During this harangue the constables in Court closed round the prisoner, whose face assumed an expression of deadly hate. Detective Jeffrey gave evidence that he had known Shildon for many years. He was a loafer. The clerk (to prisoner) : Have you any questions to ask the detective?" Prisoner: " Let him tell you how he got me out. He dragged me out; twisted both my arms, and kicked me. Tell that if you dare." Mr. Beetham : " It will be necessary to look after you." Prisoner : " I don't want any of your looking after—l'm much obliged to you for your kindness: what I want is justice. Mr. Beetham: " The sentence of the Courtisthree months." As the prisoner was being removed out of the Court he bestowed a parting look upon the magistrates, and shouted, " You'll want me some day to steer a ship for you ; you may want."