COURT SCENES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1929, Page 8

COURT SCENES

LONDON, February 28. A II amhestcr in:m and proud of it is Frederick Shaw, «ms* of the old-timers of ilie cotton mills, wlm now at the ago of 70 is friendless ond alone in London.

Ik* lias lost everythin}* except liis accent and that frank independence ami intimate humour peculiar to the Lancashire character.

For '27 years this little, white-hair-ed old man with twinklin'* eyes and brisk manner had held the same job in a cotton mill. The mill was bought by a combine and the old-hand, losing his job. sought work in Canada, but Canada is a young man’s country, and Frederick drifted back to London.

He was arrested for begging because he was hungry, and the police, making inquiries in .Manchester. found nothing. against him. The old-timer stepped briskly into the dock at Westminster Police Court on Saturday, ilevw his ca. i on the seat, and drawing an old-fashioned watch I rein his pocket, corrected it carefully by the court clock.

“What have you been living on in London >" Asked Air. dill, the magistrate.

“Faith, hope, and charity.’’ brightly replied old Foderiok. who was discharged into the care of the court mis sionary.

Arguing about football is more dangerous than playing it. as Gerald the plasterer, discovered. He bail arrived outside bis home in Staidburn-street Clrlesa, S.W., which probably con-, tains more children than any street of its size in London, when lie got into conversation with a stranger. The talk turned from football generally to the 01k ’sea and Blackpool match in particular. As an ardent Tier of Chelsea, Gerald resented the criticism of the stranger, who bring stung bv Gerald's repartee, hit him on the nose.

I know I was right and 1 was outside* my own house, so I took off my coat, and went for him.” said tlu* pugnacious plasterer. ■When a. constable appeared. Gerald with a. war cry of “Chelsea for ever” was scoring vigorously at the expense of the' man from Blackpool, and Gor!iid's mil Richard was acting as referee, linesman, and enthusiastic spectator.

The policeman, blowing his whistle stopped the fight and ordered the combatants off the field, the man from Blackpool retired. Gerald, starting in pursuit, was seized bv the constable who was seized by Richard, who was detached by another constable. Between them Gerald and Richard paid 3bs. which proves that arguing about football may he an expensive game.

"William Ernest John is u young married man, hut, alas, lie is also a flirt. Just before midnight lie was seeking to make love to girls in Vauxhall Bridge-road, hut lie was repulsed and arrested for offensive behaviour. He thought his troubles were over who nhe was fined £2, but they wore only beginning. Mrs William Ernest John was seatted at the bank of the court, and when her husband was ordered to pay £1 out of the 3Ms in his pocket his wife made a lightning calculation and remarked to the janitor, “That leaves "is mu of his wages." She then whisked out of the court to meet \\ illiam John outside. "I would not he that man for a lot of money," mused the janitor as he softly closed thi' door on the angry young wife.