A DOCK PANTOMIME

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1927, Page 3

A DOCK PANTOMIME

LONDON, Aug. 8. One of the most pantomimic prisoners I have ever seen made a stage of the dock at Lambeth Police Court on Saturday. He “came on” with one hand claplied inquiringly to liis ear and the other gripping a dog-headed walkingstick which the gaoler gently took iiway from him and placed out of his reach. “Arthur,” the clerk began. Arthur bent clown until the ear with the hand on it projected over the rail of the dock.

“Eh?” he snapped. ‘‘lt’s no good. I can't hear a word you’re saying. However,” he sighed, straightening himself, “it doesn’t matter. I don’t know a hit. what Ini here for, you know 1” The goaler got him by the coat and pulled him clown again. Then, in a voice which might have been heard at the Elephant and Castle, ho asked Arthur whether lie was guilty of behaving in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. Arthur frowned perplexedly. “T don’t know what you’re talking about” he said. Taking a deep breath and still holding on to Arthur’s coat, the gaoler sent tho question eehoeing to Kennington Cross. “Shame!” said Arthur. “I never said a word until the ‘Bohbies’ came along All I said was—” The gaoler gave it up. The policeman who arrested Arthur said (an inch from Arthur’s ear) that he was called to put him out of the labour exchange at Camberwell Green because he would not stop clamouring for 26 weeks’ “hack money.” Arthur (sorrowfully) : I think it a great shame. “And when I told him to go away like a sensible man he told mo to ’go way and get run over.’ ” the policeman concluded. Arthur (tragically): I think it a very great shame. Oh, I do indeed. T do! He turned to the magistrate, Mr McKenna. “Indeed, sir,” he declaimed, “this is something awful! It really is. I’ll tell you what happened, shall IP I wanted to get in front of the others at the labour exchange—liefore they gave all tho money away, you see! But the ‘Bobbies’ came and put me out. A terrible shame, I call it ! I newer—”

“Pay lialf-a-erown or go to prison for a day,” Mr McKenna interrupted.