Huntly School’s Queen Carnival.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 3 December 1915, Page 3

Huntly School’s Queen Carnival.

In writing our account of the Huntly Schools’ Queen Carnival last week, we were so pressed for time and space, that several things were left out. SPECIAL PRIZES. The following special prizes were donated by Mrs G. M. Fraser: — To Hugh Gavin, for Horse dressed as Wounded Soldier. To Lily Peckham for Decorated Basket. To Teddy Dixon, (aged 2 years) Wounded Soldier, and Rene Wright, (aged 4 years) Hospital Nurse, best miniature pair in the procession. These two little children collected the sum of £4 13s for the Wounded Soldiers There was also a special prize by a person who prefers to remain anonymous, and this was won by Harry Porter for the Best Growing Fern. On the Saturday evening, after the strenuous time was over, the members of the committee were entertained at supper by Mr G Edwards, an attention which was very much appreciat ed by those who were able to avail themselves of the kindness. MOCK COURT On the long charge sheet of the Mock Court, there was abundant evidence of much hard thinking by somebody, for every charge was pointed, in some cases, very pointed. We regret that we have not room to give the whole of the charges, but the selection given below will suffice to show what thought and skill was used in drawing up the charges. We shall not attempt to explain the charges, as to anyone acquainted with the defendants, no explanation will be necessary. As will be seen, one or two of the charges really go in pairs, and should oe read so. Mr S. Abbott was charged with putting a spoke in another man’s wheel, Mr W. H. Bailey with Short-stepping to the Hylands, morning, noon and night, without a Kilt, Mr Boyd Bennie with “ Looking for a'fall, ” and Mr J. P. Bailey with “ Creating a monopoly to wit, a corner in chairs.” Mr Bailey had the temerity to plead not guilty and to impugn the authority of the court. In consequence, the Crown Persecutor pointed out that defendant had not only created a monopoly in chairs, but was also a stickler for forms, and made frequent inquiry after tables, so that if something were not done to check him, there was every likelihood of his opening a furniture shop, and thus taking the bread out of the mouths of deserving people. He was censured by the Judge and fined a little extra for interrupting the court.

Mr F. Briggs was charged with committing an assault by striking a nail, Mr H. Clinch with creating mysteries, Mr Jas. Elliot with knocking down the patriotic goat with a hammer. Mr Elliot pleaded not guilty and said that he had knocked the goat down with a pencil, and not with a hammer, so he was fined 2/6d extra for not doing his work in the time honoured fashion. Mr Flos. Farrell was charged with giving the “ glad eye ” from a motor cycle. Defendent pleaded not guilty, but was speedily convicted, several of the sufferers from his nefarious deeds being present in court to testify against him if necessary. Mr G. M. Fraser pleaded guilty under extenuating circumstances, to throwing three bridges across the Waikato River It was pointed out that the throwing about of such large structures might easily result in injury to the travelling public, the banks of the River and to the structures themselves. Defendant was fined three guineas and tendered in payment a cheque on the Bank of the Waikato. He was brought back and further fined for issuing a valueless cheque. Mr R. Greenwell was charged with firing bricks, and received rather a bad time at the hands of the Crown Persecutor, who pointed out that defendant was an old offender, and had been carrying on his practices for years day ' and night, practically 365 days in the year. Defendant was fined £3 3s and cautioned not to endanger the public so much in future. Mr F. W. Garland was charged with adding two olive branches to his garland, and was let off light with a fine of two guineas because his accomplice in the deed was not beside him in the dock. Mr J. B. Harris was fined 20s for failing to enter in the Matrimonial Stakes. Mr E. Harris v as fined a similararnount for appearing in public with a “ Boyle *’ on his arm. Miss Housley pleaded guilty to fingering notes ill chureh, and Mr F. E- Hardwick appeared in an apparently highly inebriated state to answer to the charge of acting as referee while the tic kets were punched. This proved to be the most troublesome prisoner dealt with, and

was several times brought back and fined for his unseemly behaviour. Mr W. M. Jolly failed to appear to answer to a charge of urging the blacksmiths’ to strike,and was fined for nou-attendance. Mr T. Ingram pleaded guilty to letting loose a. wail in Raynor’s Road, while L. Kasoof was fined for failing to give the girl in his window a weekly halfholiday. Messrs F. Leek and T, Tapp were placed side by side in the dock, the first charged with turning on a tap, and the latter with stopping a leak. They were each fined five guineas. James Mohan was charged with dropping a cage into the mine. Dr. J. C. Macdiarmid wtih furious driving, Mr Moir with forging a bolt, and Mr Thomas Nicol with pressing his suit with a goose. Dr. R. C. Macdiarmid pleaded not guilty to kissing Kitty on the Bowling Green, and proved a most obstropolous prisoner. However, he was soon bowled out by the Crown Prosecutor, and finally admitted that he had kissed Kitty frequently, and liked doing it, and would do it again as often as he could. He was fined five guineas with an extra 3s 6d for his contumacy. Mr J. Robertson pleaded not guilty to appearing too frequently at the Bar. The Crown Prosecutor was proceeding to flagellate him for the violence he would do the colour of his nose, and the worry and trouble he would bring on his innocent wife and children by his too frequent appearances at the Bar, when by some process of illegal jugglery the whole affair was turned topsy - turvy, and the Crown Prosecutor found himself in the dock with Mr Robertson acting as prosecutor. The Crown Prosecutor received a bad time at the hands of the Judge and Mr Robertson, and finding that every time he opened his mouth it was stopped with a fine, he eventually fell silent, and was allowed, to return to his place, revenging himself by having Mr Robertson fined (wo guineas on the first - charge, and 2s 6d for contempt of Court. Mr Rust was charged with being too fond of Shand —y, while Mr Shand pleaded guilty to a charge of letting half his business go to Rust. Mr W. Shaw promised never again to be guilty of driving a carriage and pair, while Mr C. Starr was fined £1 Is for being a star - and refusing to twinkle.

Mr Thomas Sutton, pleading not guilty to being a nootural perambulator, was severely castigated by the Crown Prosecutor for habitually prowling about at night, thereby setting a bad example to the yonng people of the town. It was pointed out that he was frequently seen about backyards with a lantern in his hand, and that it was believed he was after no good. As his offence was aggravated by his driving about in the day time in a green gig, not decorated with the orthodox yellow harp, he was lined £2 and cautioned. Mrs Thomas was every much put out when charged with the very grave offence of going down the street showing the white feather, but ultimately admitting herself to have been guilty. Mr J. W. Wilson was fined £2 2s for spouting on a house top, and Mr Joe Young with spinning fish yarns. At the end of the evening session the Judge( Mr J.M. Eccles) was put in the box and charged with being a rotten bad judge, Mr S. Scott (Court Usher), occupying the Judge’s Bench for the time being. Mr Eccles indignantly denied the charge, and a wordy argument between himself, the Crown Prosecutor and the temporary judge ended in his being fined a guinea for the offence, 2s 6d for contempt of Court, and 7s fid extras (unspecified). Each of the Court officials performed their allotted task well, the judges (Dr. Macdiarmid and Mr Eccles), the Registrar (Mr E. A. Jones), and the Court Usher (Mr S. Scott), being especially good, while the little policemen were right up-to-date.