DRUNKENNESS CHARGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5019, 27 August 1926, Page 2

DRUNKENNESS CHARGE.

OBSCENE LANGUAGE ALSO USED. DEFENDANT LENIENTLY TREATED At the Police Court, Paeroa, yesterday morning, before Messrs, H. J, Haie and W. F. North, J’s.P., James Fletcher Rankin, aged 48 years, was charged with drunkenness in Willoughby Street, Paeroa, on Wednesday afternoon last. A second charge of using obscene language was' also preferred. Defendant pleaded guilty to both charges- and elected to be dealt 'with summarily. Constable McClinchy stated that in response to a telephone ring on Wednesday morning he visited the Paeroa Hotel, where he found defendant ■in the bar and ordered him off thf premises. Instead of going quietly defendant became, argumentative. Witness told him to be quiet, and as he was on the street by that time he walked off and left him. Later in the day defendant met witness in the street and commenced following him and arguing all the time. Defendant was given every opportunity to desist, but finally he used.the language, complained off, and after a “rough and tumble” he was arrested in Willoughby Street. Witness said that he had known defendant for many years as a hardworking man. He was of an excitable, disposition, and could not stand much liquor. He had previously appeared before the Court on a charge, of drunkenness, a,nd there was at present a further charge, pending of refusing toi quit licensed premises when' ordered to do so. Defendant belonged. to( Southland, had' come from Tauranga, and had been working in the Wharepoa district for some time. Witness, who said he knew* defendant’s people in Southland had helped him in every way possible. If a prohibition Order was taken out it would probably help defendant to keep straight. Defendant said that he would not consent to an order, “because it was like putting a muzzle on a dog.” He expressed regre,t for haying given trouble, and stated that he was not in the habit of using bad language. The Bench said it regarded the use ’of bad language in a public pla.ee, as a serious offence. It was not desirous of sending a man to gaol, and Suggested that a prohibition order would assist the defendant to control himself.

The police intimated that a heavy penalty was not sought under the circumstances, but the public, as Well as the police were entitled to protection. ’ Oh the first .charge defendant was convicted and discharged, and on the second charge a conviction was- entered, with a fine of £2 2s, defendant to rema,in in custody at the Paerola lockup for a term not exceeding seven days, or until the fine was paid.

Addressing the defendant the Bench* stated that if he appeared before the Court again he woud be moile severely dealt with. In view of the report of Constable McClinchy defendant would be given an opportunity to make good, and it was hoped that he Would profit by the leniency shown him.