AN AMIABLE HAWKER.

Evening Star, Issue 3498, 9 May 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN AMIABLE HAWKER.

At the Wellington Resident Magistrate’s Court last week, one John Buchanan, was charged with hawking without having a license. Police Sergeant Price said that the defendant was one of the most notorious thieves, blackguards, and . ruffians out of gaol. To his own knowledge he had gone under three or four aliases. He had been committed in Auckland twice lately, once turning Queen’s evidence. The last conviction was for breaking into a store, for which he got three years. He was tried under the name of Wilson in connection with the Burgess and Sullivan murders, and. in short was a most dangerous and notorious scoundrel. Ho had only been three or four months out of gaol.—Defendant: That’s a nice character, I’m sure. (Laughter.) Leave having been granted to the defendant to address the Bench, he did so as follows : —Before I address your Worship, I would remark that I am aware that the man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client, but I had an insurmountable barrier to, surmount in getting legal assistance.— (Laughter.) Sergeant Price has committed wilful and corrupt perjury.— (Laughter.) A lot of superfluous matter had been introduced about my character. I am well aware that when a numble hisolated unit like me dares to summon a great policeman he must expect to have an insurmountable barrier to surmount. Supposing I have herred in days gone by, and mind I don’t admit I have, am I to be kicked about, and my character made a football of by the police ? If I have herred; if I have satisfied the majisty of the law; am I to be dogged and bullied and kicked about for hever ?—His Worship said that although the defendant was making a very fine speech, really it was entirely .beside the question, and he must now stop him.