An Amusing Defence.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 103, 27 March 1884, Page 3

An Amusing Defence.

. , [Wellington Paper.] ■ { Mi* John S; Having appeared m tho Wellington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday m answer to a, charge of committina breachof city by-laws by discharging a gut i m trfe street. Mr Harris pleaded " Guilty under extenuating circumstances," and made the following detence : Ybur>Wbrship, h represent the largest gun-making firm m .the ■urorldj I myself am a good shoti— T can shoot whifflers or anything else. It happened that on t|?e day m question I got a cartridge stuck m my gun, and I said to my boy Dick (his name is Richard, bnt we call him Dick, your Worship), "Now, my boy, we're m a fix." I thought I'd fire that gun off, because my wife is % Quaker lady, objects to loaded firearms m the house, and so do I. Well, I went out into the street. Do you know where the basin reserve is, your Worship ? Mr Wardell: I know where it-used to be.' Mr Harris: Ob, wellj it's there now, sir, and that's where I live. We fired the gun off there. I don't know whore the shots went to, because T didn't go after them — they might baTe gone to heaven for all I know. The summons T received, sir, is veiy imperfect, and I can't read it. F think the gentleman who wrote it must have been m a liurry to get home to his dinner. I should lil'e to kjiow what the city belt is,and where it efcds. I allied the constable who served me, and he said be thought the Mayor wore it. I asked him again, and he said it; was three miles past Island Bay. There must be reclamation out there. Mr Wardell : Notwithstanding these extenuating circumstances, Mr Harris^ I must fine you 10s. Mr Harris tlien withdrew.after thanking the Bench for the consideration he had received.