DRUMMOND STREET SMELLS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8361, 22 February 1913, Page 8

DRUMMOND STREET SMELLS

A MAN AND HIS RUBBISH. AMUSING REMARKS IN COURT. Considerable amusement was caused at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in a case in wmch James Phillips was charged with permitting offensive smells to ariso on premises winch he occupied in Drummond street. Iho date of the information was December 18th, 1912. Air E. AI. Beechey, who appeared 'for the corporation, stated that on tho last occasion Phillips was before the court he gave an undertaking that ho would clean out tho premises and leave tho country. Neither promise had been fulfilled. It had been impossible for the municipal inspectors to gain an entrance to the place, but from what could bo seen through a window, apparently a little rubbish had been removed. However, the smell remained. Phillips said that a man was going to take the rubbish away on Monday. Dr AlcArthur; I have been too soft with you altogether. Air Beechey: There is no power under the by-laws to condemn and destroy this man, or I would ask you to exercise it. (Laughter.) Chief-Inspector Doyle: He has been promising me for twenty years to go away, hut ho docs not go. There is no doubt that he is a danger. “ MY WORD OF HONOUR.” Dr AlcArthur (to defendant): Mr Doyle and the City Council have been most lenient with you; and I have been almost criminally lenient. Wliat can wo do if you won't shirt? Phillips: Wed, I will give you my worn of nonour. (Laughter.) Air Beechey saxci mere were about twenty previous convictions against defendant for keeping noisome rubPnillips (to Dr McArthur); I will give you the key of tho house by Thursday, sir. Dr AlcArthur; I don’t want the .key. (Laughter.) _ , , ~ - Phillips: This is the last time 1 shall ever come before you. Dr McArthur: Well, you were going to leave a long while ago. Phillips stated that ho would go away on Friday. Dr McArthur: Wo can’t bring you up to the knocker. Phillips: Oh, you can, because I won’t be here then. (Laughter.) You know, when you aro leaving a country you can’t leave in a minuto. I told Mr Doyle. Dr McArthur: Oh, yes; but you told Mr Doyle before-Chief-Inspector Doyle: Ho has been telling me that for twenty years. WE Worship informed defendant that he would be convicted and fined £lO. Phillips made a reply which caused HE Worship to remark, “I think you have kissed the blarney-stone.” (Laughter.) Defendant said something about exercising common-sense. Dr McArthur (referring to tho rubbish) : Oh, yes, but common-sense won’t shift it. You have gone in for a rotten sort of business, you know it. Phillips: Oh, I know it. (Laughter.) I will bring the key down next Wednesday. Xt is all sold, and a man is coming up for it. I have the money. Dr AlcArthur: You will be convicted and fined £lO, in default seven days. You will be allowed to remove it by Tuesday. Phillips (pathetically): Oh, make it Thursday, sir. I want to oblige you, sir—to do your wishes. “DON’T WORK ON SUNDAY.” IXr McArthur: Well, my wishes are that you take these goods out at once —before seven days. Phillips: You see, there is a Sunday—don’t work on Sunday, sir. (Laughter.) Dr AlcArthur stated that if the obnoxious goods were removed by Tuesday next he would remit the fine, “Isn’t that good enough?” he asked. Phillips; Oh, you are good, sir. Dr McArthur: Xea, I ought to belong to a Sunday school. (Laughter.) Chief-Inspector Doyle: It’s a pity you can’t make the default three years. (Laughter.) Dr McArthur (to defendant): Now, you must have those goods out before Tuesday. Phillips; Tuesday night, sir? (Laughter.) The magistrate allowed defendant till midnight on Tuesday to effect a clearance. Dr AlcArthur: You have a different idea of what cleanliness is to what we have. Phillips: I study health. (Laughter.) Dr McArthur: Oh, yes, you study health —you want to drag the health down, we want to preserve it. (Laughter.)