EXCUSE THESE TEARS.

NZ Truth, Issue 72, 3 November 1906, Page 5

EXCUSE THESE TEARS.

VIRTUE GETS IT IN THE NECK AGAIN.

An Impudent Impostor's "Innocence."

Niagara is Nil to Georgie's How.

Now and again the police succeed m snaring impudent impostors, who even when the game is up, try to bamboozle the Bench' into thinking that if just one more chance is given them, they will not out-run the constable again but will keep well m the middle of the track that is narrow and slippery. ' Just such an impostor is George McDonald, alias John Julian, who got it hard m the neck at the S.M.s, Court last Thursday morning, when, after misleading his lawyer, Mr Kirkcaldie, he started to out-Niagara Niagara's flow with a torrential flow of tears and promises to reform if given only another chance. George is only a young fellow which is somewhat of a pity ; because if he was older his impudence might be attributed to a lengthier experience m the wicked ways of the world. As it is he possesses a criminal record x whioh, if ever indeterminate sentences come into vogue, should lead to one of that nature being tried on him.

-There were two charges against McDonald, one of obtaining, £i from John White by means of a false pretence, and secondly with attempting to obtain goods valued at £11 6s 6d 'from John White by means of a false pretence. To these charges George gaily pleaded guilty, and his lawyer, Mr Kirkcaldie, with as much emotion as he could work up tried to make out that his heart bled for the youngster m the dock, who had gone astray. As George had, at Auckland, some years ago, when a mere stripling, been convicted of a ' similar offence, he could not understand how he had gone wrong again, and attributed it to the fact that not having then been represented by counsel lie was not fully impressed with the dignity of the' Law. ; As that explanation did' not seem too good, Mr KirkoaMie got nearer the mark, perhaps, when he ventured the assertion that gaol' '.contamination was the cause, and under that circumstance he trusted Magistrate McArthur would deal leniently with the young delinquent. Then "the Assyrian," m the shape of Chief Demon McGrath, "came down like a wolf on the fold." He did not exactly bellow for George's gore- but he left the impression that leniency and sympathy would be wasted on "the boy m the prisoner's dock." George it seems, on September 13 last, represented to White, a brushnraker, of Taranaki-street^ that he was the son of Jos. Prosser, the racc-'horsc trainer, of Porirua, and wanted £11 odd worth, of brushes, etc. Later on he came back with a tale that the banks were closed and borrowed a pound from White, who subsequently found that the brush order was a bogus one and that he had been done up for the quid. The Chief Detective said, m addition, that he was sorry, very sorry indeed,: that he could not agree with all that had been said for George, and bY began to throw boquets at himself by saying that he always endeavored, when circumstances warranted it, to put m a good word for any young fellow who was led astray by evil company. Then he proceeded to show that for similar offences at Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington MpDonaM had often been convicted and seemed to make false pretences and imposition bis mode of livelihood.

Innocent George then turned on the tap and wept long and woefully pleading for another chance and promising never to do it again ; but the impatient shrug of the shoulder given by Magistrate McArthur spoke volumes. On, the first charge he gave McDonald 'three months and on the second ordered a six months' stretch, sentences to be concurrent.