TOLD THE MAGISTRATE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1929, Page 6

TOLD THE MAGISTRATE.

LONDON, June 14

Stanley Owens, after-being convicted nine times for larceny, joined a religious sect at Kentish Town, and ■so impressed influential members of the congregation by his devotion that they gave him references that got him a job with' a portable wireless manufacturing firm. He was given £IBO worth of sets to sell on commission, and the next day he pawned the lot for £SO, and forged receipts to impress the pawnbrokers, who lost the money they advanced. Owens, who is only 25, had betted heavily on dogs and horses, and according to a detective his room was filled with racing correspondence. He put in a written statement that took Mr xialkett ten minutes to read. A woman member of his chosen sect attended court to say what a nice young man he was, but Mr Ilalkett, in sentencing him to 15 months’ imprisonment, described him as “one of the worst young scoundrels 1 have conio across for some time” ******* James Bannon, aged 23, is one of Borstal’s failures. He has had chance after chance, and the court missionary had no good word to say for him. After serving three months for unlawful possession he snatched a handbag from a domestic servant as she was walking in Regent’s Park. Bannon, who was sent down for four months, ..wined. that he had never had a chance, but Air, Halnett pointed out that twice he had'been put on probation, ‘which ivas. a mistake, and that three years at Borstal had done him no good. Many Borstal boys eventually become good citizens, but there arc others who become leaders in. the underworld. Educated and intelligent, they make formidable criminals and a constant scource of trouble to Scotland Yard.

Martha Lane, who has had twelve convictions, is a shilling snatcher. She approaches kindly looking men, asks them to change a two-slnlling piece that does not exist, and, snatching thechange, disappears before the obliging stranger realises that, as they say at election time, there is “no change.” Martha’s husband comes out of prison just as Martha goes in for three months. * * * * * Some wives do cling to their husbands in adversity. Jack, a typical husband—which means that he had many weaknesses but few great vices—was saved at Thames Police Court yesterday from a severe sentence by his wife, a plump, middle-aged woman who seemed to know men as a mother knows her child. . ' Very black was the case against Jack, the father of nine chi’dren, the eldest of whom, wrapped in an overcoat, came to Shadwcll Police Station and complained that her father was turning the entire family out of the house. Two batchelor policemen went to Juniper-road, E., at 3 a.m., when they found the family cowering on the stairs and the Husband, and father making speeches and breaking china. -» * * * * Air Cairns, the Magistrate, looked very severe, and we all thought that Mr Jack was in for a rough time. Then came an appealing, voice from the rear of the .court: > “May I. speak?” It was —e voice of Airs J ack, who, entering the witness-box, said: “Me were having a row and I got led up, so 1 sent for a policeman I hope you won’t send my husband to prison. Just give him a good talking to.’’ | “it’s a queer world il a wife and husband can’t have a row,” remarked Air Cairns .as lie fined Jack 30s. “Take your saintly husband away,” lie advised Airs Jack, who promptly replied. “Righto. Come on, Jack.” A sordid- ease, I admit, but rather refreshing alter the multitude of cases where wives are more eager to exploit lauli forgive them. But plump women were always generous.

Here is an illuminating sidelight on the dole, which, 1 maintain, destroys the will to work. A wife who had just (eft the workhouse, now known as “the institution,’ to get work complained that her husband, who l(ad not wonted for’ two'years, was coming out of the institution with.their three children. “I. am living with my mother,” said the wile plaintively. “AVliat shall I do?” “Keep him out,” advised Mr Cairns decisively. ****** “The daughter of a woman who lives upstairs hit me because I tinev water over a dog,” exclaimed an aggrieved alien. “'l'lie protest must come from the dog,” declared Mr Cairns. « * # » * * j Emilia brought off the double event on Saturday. She was arrested at 3.30 p.m,, bailed out at 5, and arrested again at 9. 15. “Why this falling off twice a day?” inquired Mr Cairns of the husband, who was. an interested spectator. •*1 don’t know,” lie replied, scratching. liis. head; “but (brightly) she works in that district.

“1 am afraid of a man who keeps a knife ,in liis pocket,” declared a distracted alien. “I keep a knife in niv pockekt,” retorted Mr Cairns. “You’re suffering from nightmare.” Queer it is. but a common-sense observation from the magistrate relieved the man of his tears. And so it was with all of the scores of applicants. A jest, a kindly word, a sharp reminder from the Bench and trials and tribulations vanished.

Often I have criticised the waste off time' in the police courts caused by these trivial complaints. But yesterday I realised 1 might be wrong. The police court, after all, is a kind of confessional where applicants receive neither penance nor absolution, but much consolation. “He went into the Victory P.H. Then lie went into another P.H.,” said a constable, referring to .Bill, who could not remember anything. “ P.H.,” explained Mr Cairns suavely, “is shorthand for public house.”