"ON THE SPREE."—THE TERM DEFINED.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1187, 2 December 1871, Page 2

"ON THE SPREE."—THE TERM DEFINED.

[CROWELL ARGUS. 1

4.3? Auckland lawyer recently enlightened the judicial mind by explaining, in a most scientific manner, the mysteries of " Yankee Grab." It was reserved, however, for Mr Vincent Pyke, R.M., to define the precise meaning of the familiar phrase, "On the Spree." A. case in the Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday last—Bernard versus park—was the occasion which elicited from magisterial lips wit mixed with wisdom. Mr Pyke is, we should imagine, a warm admirer of Sydney Smith and Douglas Jerrold.

Barnard and Park Lad been mates in a claim for the last four or five years; a few days ago Park was vexed with Barnard because the latter had absented himself from the claim for four or five diiys,—« on the spree." He had, however, put a man on in his place, to whom he paid 15s a day. Park'* vexation eventuated in him calling his mate names the reverse of polite, pulling his hair, and making a blow at him. Another mate, M'Gregor, warded the blow off, and prevented the assault assuming a grave aspect. Songs and bottles of square gin had been indulged in prior to the quarrel, M'Gregor's hut in Pipeclay Gully beinsj the scene of action.

Mr Wilson appeared for the complainant; Mr Brough for the defendant.

Mr Brough (to Barnard) : Now then, had you not been on the spree for several days before this affair happened % Barnard : Ido not know, sir, what you mean by " on the spree." Mr Brough (astonished) : You don't know what I mean by on the spree! How long have you been on the goldfields ? Barnard : About sixteen years. Mr Brough: And you don't know what is meant by being "on the spree." Barnard : I do not know personally; but I know what it is to enjoy myself a little, iLaughter.) Mr Brough ; Well, it amounts to the same thing—you enjoyed yourself for several days? Barnard ; I did, and hope to do so again. 1 put a man on in my place at 15s a day. Hans Jansen, a neighbor, who was present when the assault was commited, also peclared that he did not know what it was to be "on the spree." He understood what "enjoying oneself" was —but declined to swear to a knowledge of the true interpretation of slang terms.

Mr Pyke (who was visibly attecled) joined with the learned counsel in expressing his surprise that such a state of abnormal innocence should exist in Pipeclay Gully. He should have thought it impossible, had not two respectable men sworn :o the fact so deliberately. "On the spiee " meant the imbibition of alcoholic liquors, tending to exhilarate the spirits, and excite the nervous system. The Bench considered the case against Park a very trivial one, and merely fined him ] Os with £2 costs.