PENSION DAY AFTERMATH

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2245, 3 September 1914, Page 4

PENSION DAY AFTERMATH

'A POLICE COURT INTERLUDE.

A feminine name well known to habltucs of the Magistrate's Court was once more called yesterday morning In answer, a little shawl bobbed up 'over tho edge of the dock. Ine shawl was drawn aside to show tho wizened face of a woman of 70 years. Hair of a colour similar to the shawl surmounting it pooped O ut over tho eyes I that furtively eyed Magistrate and 1 police. "Guilty or not guilty?" inquired the Clerk of tho Court after he had read the charge of drunkenness. ; . "Not guiltyi," aaid the little old woman. The constable went into the box and- swore differently, but still the tremulous voice murmured "Not guilty." ''Had you any drink at all?" in- ■ quired the Magistrate. The dame faltered. "Only a little brandy and milk—a little brandy and * milk" (the latter reflectively).' "But you are an habitual drunkard," admonished the Magistrate sternly. * "Oh, dear, no!" answered the little dame, quite ehocked. "I have been twenty-five, no, twenty-six years " But _ she wae interrupted, and a brief little dialogue ensued between' Bench and police. "She just received lier pension yesterday," said the inspector to the Bench. , "But she has no right to the peneion!" "It's the only thing she-'e got to live on." Eventually a prohibition order wae taken out against the little old woman, while she was fined 10s., with an option. A constable personally .acquainted her of these particulars, at. which she smiled strangely, then gathered her shawl over her grey locks and departed.