A GENTLEMAN, WHEN SOBER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 56, 29 November 1937, Page 6

A GENTLEMAN, WHEN SOBER

Man Charged with U$e of Insulting Language DRINK ALLEGED CAUSE A garrulous defendant, aeeused of Wsing provoldng and insulting, language to Ms neighbour, gave Mr J.* Miller, S.M., some trouble to keep order in tlie Napier Magistrate 's Court this morning. The complaint was laid by John Bennett, of Coote road, against Alexander Fraser, whom -ha allege.d_had used filthy epithets on several oceasions. The complainant, in evidence, alleged that the defendant had been coming home drunk and abusing Ms neighbours. Defendant; Oh no. No, Sir! Aa Every-weeK Occurrence. The complainant alleged that tbe incidents complained of had been an every-week oceuxrence for tbe last two months. Defendant; Ob no, no! Tbe Magistrate: You'll bave an opportunity later to state your case. Be quiet meantime. "* Tbe complainant added tbat defendant, "wben sober, was "a tborougb gentleman.". , 6 Asked if be bad any question to ask -tbe witness, defendant said, "I tbink ie's been very provoMng Mmself. He's been a very strange ,man at times. " Tbe Magistrate: Ask" your questions. Defendant; He was. I've watehed biml • Used Bad Language. Another neigbbour gave evidence Ibat Hraser bad used bad language to fcer daugbter also. Tbe Magistrate; Any questions? Defendant; She*s been a pest, tbe jlaugbter, trying to cause trouble. Tbe witness. was stood down and as he made bis way to tbe back of tbe Court, defendant continued to mutter. «Been a pest! Causing trouble!" Mts Bennett, in evidence, t said Fraser was always a tborougb -gentlejnan wben sober. Asked. if be bad any question to pnt, defendant said; "Not to Mrs Bennett. ^ Tbe Magistrate (dryly): And she jtaya you're a gentleman — wben you're t jwber. Hraser's defence consisted of tbe persistent xeiteration tbat Ms neighbonrs could use filthy language thempelves. Be agreed, wKen finally quietened, to jjeonsent to a probibifion order.