OBJECTIONABLE CARDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1205, 14 August 1911, Page 6

OBJECTIONABLE CARDS.

WHAT THE SELLER. SAID WHEN CAUGHT. (By Telwaph.-Prcss Association.! Christchurch, August 12. Before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., \\n\ici Nicholl (for whom Mr. Cassidy appeared) pleaded guilty to a charge of having arid objectionable cards on a railway train. Hub-Inspector M'Grath stated that tae facts wore that two constables in plain clothes had boon travelling to Tiinaru from Christchurch by the first express. Accused, who had sold them a newspaper, asked if they would.earo to buy ii post-card, at the same "time shoving the cards objected to. One of the constables had bought eight curds, paying 3d. each for them, and had also asked accused if he was not afraid to sell such, cards. Accused replied to the effect that ho knew his mark, adding: "If 1 were caught, Bishop would give mo hell." His Worships I don't know anything about his future in the next world, but lie is )ik<\\- to get it in this world fop keeping si'eli cards.

Mr. Cassidy .stated that accused had been working on (he train for eight years, ami this was Hi© first timo that ho had Men before the Court or in trouble. Accused had denied selling tlio eight cards, stating that ho had sold only three cards, and had "given" the rest to Iho constables. Ho also denied having passed comment on his fate if he came, before Mr. Bishop. Counsd wished k> show that accused had not been trafficking iu improper matter. Mr. Bishopi Where did he get these cards? Mr. Cassidy replied that his client had picked them up amongst a box of pictorial ami comic cards. Mr. Bishop said that he could not understand persons having such cards in, their possession. There was nothing whatever to attract, amuse, or educate on. them. There was nothing humorous about them—they were merely filthy. Accused had been aware of the nature of the offence which he was committing:, and had evidently Anticipated trouble, if ha was caught. That had been shown by his scarcely respectful .reference to him (Mr. Bislfop). A magistrate of his standing was likely to have, very decided opinions upon certain points, and. these wore likely to be well known. He had never hesitated to express his opinions frrcly, and, of course, ho would not allow this statement to niako any difference to his judgment.

Sir. Cassidjr repeated that accused denied having inado tho. remark. His Worship continued that he eupposed the constables would Fwear to it, but the matter was immaterial. "There aro sections of the community, I suppose, who regard me as a perfect terror, and it is just as well for the community as a whole that they should regard me in. that way. It makes for respect for law and order." It was not (ho continued) a case for a lig-lit penalty. A sentence of one mouth's imprisonment would be inflicted.