A COSTLY KISS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 962, 4 March 1911, Page 4

A COSTLY KISS.

An amusing and decidedly unique case came before Mr Clarke, S.M., at the Central Police Court, Sydney, on Thursday last. The charge was “offensive behaviour,” and the accused, an elderly, white-moustached man named John Burgess Cook. Edith Levigne, a prepossessing young lady, said that she was walking arm-in-arm with her mother in Pitt Street, and, when near the Criterion Theatre, accused put his arms around her neck and tried to kiss her (witness).

“ I said, ‘ You blackguard !’ ” said the witness, “ and pushed him off. And then he put his fists up at me, and my mother gave him in charge.” Cook gave evidence. “Im a journalist,” he said. “ I was in the street, which was very crowded. An idea occurred to me, and I went to. write it down, and bumped up against someone. I can’t see too well.” “ This fellow, the sergeant informed the Magistrate, “ is an old reprobate. He has been here for being drunk once or twice lately, and he’s been bragging to me that he’s a great pugilist.” When accused came to sign his depositions he could not write his name, and had to make “ bis mark ” (a cross). “You say you’re a journalist and can’t write your name !” said the Magistrate. “ I use very powerful glasses. I haven’t got them here,” was accused’s explanation. Mr Clarke told accused he could deal with him much more severely, and fined him ,£3, with an alternative of a month in prison. “Caul appeal against that?” asked accused. “ Bo adything you like —when you gee outside,” said the Magistrate, who seemed rather tired of him.