A CURIOUS SCENE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1809, 16 July 1906, Page 1

A CURIOUS SCENE.

,(Per Press Association.) Wellington, Saturday,

A outioua scene was enacted in the Polioe Court, when Hugh Muliine, a burly, battered, gonial Scotchman, an old acquaintance of the police, was charged with drunkenness and assaulting a second-hand dealer. Tho dealer alleged that Mullins assaulted him because ho was responsible for gating bins nine months’ imprisonment. Mullins, on the other hand, pleaded that he was endeavoring to sell a ring to the dealer, and “ moreiy held it up before him to show it off,” Things onsed’a behalf. " Let him come forward," said Dr. A. MoArthur, S.M., and the man entered tho witness box, to tho delight of Mullice. His Worship observed, " What’s that in your pocket ?” Tho witness ropliod, “ A parcoi.” 11 A bottle, you mean.” (Laughter,) "Well, yes; but it won’t affeot the case,”

“ But it will effect you beforo tho day’s over, I euppoae.” (Laughter.) Tho witness then started: “ That man’s a friend of mine. Wc fought together in the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. I know lie was up before the magistrate. I do not know the charge, but I simply says ‘ Hugliy’s in trouble with drink.’ (Laughter.) There is no harm in that man, sir. There is no more barn in that man than in an old woman 80 years of age.” (Laughter.) For somo seconds the witness was unable to get a hearing, his friend in tho dock with mouth open laughing heartily. The witness on subsequently being allowed to proceed said: “I am speaking as a man who knows him, and I hope you will take my word, which is not much. Why, that man” (waving his arm to accused) “ would not hurt a mouse.” (Laughter.)

His Worship: Did ho no~ el . ]j C f orc hurt anyone V Witness; That man never hurt anybody. My little bit of evidence might not be worth much, but I hope you will take my word and let him oil'. (Laughter). His Worship: Are you a member of Parliament ? Witness: There’s worse than me there yet. (Laughter,)

His Worship: I have no doubt about that at all. (Renewed Laughter.) Accused, speaking up, said: Mr McArthur, try mo again and give mo a chance- Won’t von now i?

His Worship : You always get the soft side of me, Mullins.

Accused : Oh no, no, doctor. I did not get it last time, when you gave mo three months. (Laughter.) His Worship : That was only t’o show you the difference. Will you go away to your work ? Accused said he would.

His Worship ; Well, Mullins, I’ll convict and discharge you for drunkenness, and convict and order you to come up for sentence when called upon for the other offence.

“ Thank you, very much,” concluded the accused, beaming on the Court as he left the dock.