FORTY WINKS O.....?

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2333, 15 December 1914, Page 6

FORTY WINKS 0.....?

■ . ~., —» ■•■. ':; -A.COURT INTERLUDE. Apart.from the usual variety of ilh ebriato appearing daily at-the Magistrate's Court there is a typo of respectable individual whose advent at sporadic intervals is the result of some untoward negligence 911 their part. More often than not this class of inebriate takes his place in the dock, shamefacedly pleads, guilty, and is never . heard of again as far as the Police are concerned. - One of. this class appeared in Court yesterday. He repeated not guilty several times when asked for his. plea, informing his questioner that "it was ho harm to have forty winks inthe street." Of ..-course; evidence had to ,be called. Tho appearance of his arrester apparently instilled some awe . into the offender, for he immediately reiterated he was guijty before a, word of evidence couli.be given. The constable retired, and with the constable went the accused's qualms. "Not guilty I" ho repeated loudly. The Court laughed. - Tho Police, however,. had a largo amount of business- to get through,' and this timo no notice was taken of the 'accused's variable plea. The evidence was given/ a conviction , recorded, and tho offender hustled out of the dock.- He appeared dumbfounded. "Why, they convicted me I" he whispered loudly to an acquaintance. •': He departed a: moment later, looking .'-,- very .indignant. •.'■..'■'." ; ~ '.