Giving Him a Fright.

Manawatu Herald, 5 January 1899, Page 2

Giving Him a Fright.

Mr Beetham, SH., has a voice* and manner when he chooses calculated to strike terror to the heart of the hardest criminal. A suitable occasion for using both cropped up the other morning at the Christchurch Police Court, when a lad was brought before him charged with theft, whom he was loath to send to gaol. Instead he administered about is severe a fright as the youngster is ;ikely to experience for some time. While an admiring body of policemen, one or two Oourt officials, and i seleot few of the general pablio

looked on in wondering awe, Mr Beetham had the boy placed in front of him, and assuming a look of frigid severity, and a tpne befitting the look, he began, " Are not you ashamed of yourself to bo in a posi" tion of this kind, appearing here as a common thief. Do you think you are going to be allowed to do this kind of thing without punishment. You have brought disgrace on your father and mother, and brothers and Bisters. There is no excuse for you. Don't you know that for an offence of this kind you will be sent to gaol to coneort with thieves and housebreakers, and murderers and crimi* nals of the lowest type." There was more in the same strain, and tbe youth could be observed to be perceptibly growing smaller. Finally, when released, he got out of the Court in as quick time as possible, Mr Beetham firing a parting shot at him as he reached the door, which gave him the impression that the next offence would mean at least death by slow torture.