Strange Scene in Court.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 199, 2 September 1873, Page 7

Strange Scene in Court.

At the Worship-street Police court, London, recently, a woman who, while waiting in the prisoner’s passage at the rear of the court, had kept up a continual fire of bad language, and greatly disturbed the court, was charged before Mr Bush by with being drunk and disorderly. The prisoner was brought into court between two constables, and Benclall, head gaoler, asked her name. “ Margaret Freestone,” she replied loudly ; and with a great deal of free speech she made love to the gaolei, and seized him over Ihe dock. There was immense laughter in court, and Dicker, the door-keeper, called “ Silence.” The Prisoner : Yes ; silence ! what are yon bundling at, you stupids ? (Then bowing all round.) Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen all. Look at the beak, boys. Mr Jesse, chief usher : Silence. Prisoner : Silence gives consent. Look at the minister there. He’ll preach directly. Mr Husbhv : Is the woman sober? Police-constable, 46(5 N : Yes. sir. I took her into custody on Saturday night. Inspector Gibbons, N division : I should inform your Worship that the woman had to he taken into a doctor’s while on the way to the court this morning, and then she turned like this! She appeared well before. The Prisoner : Well ! of course I’m well. Mr Bushby : Is her head affected. The Prisoner : Am 1 cracked ? Of course—in the nut. You’ll he to-morrow. The constable then commenced to state how on Saturday night he hid found the prisoner drunk on the doorstep of a public-house, and in a very disgraceful state. Luring his evidence the prisoner sang—- “ Goodbye Johnnv ; before I leave you One more kiss before I go.” “ For to catch me on the hop, Or on my tibhy drop,” And there the prisoner dropped her song, amid roars of laughter. The Usher cried “ Silence !” and the prisoner told him to go and say his prayers. Mr Bushby sentenced her to a month’s imprisonment, with hj o'd labour. The Prisoner : What ! only a month ? . What fun ! Good night, ladies and gentlemen all. Good night, boys (turning to the public part of the court). Three cheers for the beak. Hooray! But her cheer was cut short by being hurried out of court. Later in the day it transpired from some person calling to see the prisoner in the cell that something of a painful history attached to her. It was stated that she had been deserted by her husband and left with a little boy to support, and while not bearing a good character herself, having been previously in custody, she had until recently been working as a domestic servant. On Friday last she entered upon a new situation, but had not been in the house five-and-twenty minutes before she left by climbing the wall of the garden. She had previously expressed her intention of going to church, but nothing was seen of her until she was in custody. It is believed that she is insane, and that her family troubles have preyed upon her mind.

Fox, the pedestrian, who defeated Drake recently in Dunedin,’proceeded to Christchurch a day or two ago, (says the Dunedin Star), to arrange a match witli Harris, late of Victoria. So far as we have heard, the distances to he run will be 120, 4-10, and 880 yards—all over hurdles. Young Austin has undertaken the task of training Fox. It is anticipated the event will come off in about a month, box has also been challenged by one Delaney, of Taranaki. His Maori Majesty, King Tawhiao, in order to replenish his treasury, has placed a capitation tax on pigs exported from his territory. Every porker of Han ban descent which crosses the aukati line for the purposes of trade is, according to the Raglan correspondent of the Southern Cross, now assessed at the sum of one shilling for the bcuolit of the Royal Treasury.