NOTT WRONG

NZ Truth, Issue 1202, 13 December 1928, Page 9

NOTT WRONG

S.M. Was Right, Put Merciful PAINTER^ BREACH (Prom ' "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch " Rep.) There was a time when William Leonard Nott swung a staff with gusto. That was when he was drum-major m the Canterbury Regimental Band. Now he swings a paint brush, and, between times, an occasional glass of beer just as effectively, no doubt,, as ever he tossed the staff at the head of the "Reggies" when they were dressed m. their best. UNFORTUNATELY for Nott,' he has a past, and it was his failure to comply with the terms of his probationary .licence, and his slight sidetracking- of the irksome conditions of a prohibition order, that brought him before Magistrate E. D. Mosley to explain his behavior. On the evening of November 13, the police were called to Nott's home because of a family disturbance and there they found Nott under the influence Of liquor, though not drunk enough to justify arrest. Probation Officer Darby told the magistrate that the breach of probation arose out of the other charge. Nott had changed his place of abode from Manchester Street to Cambridge Terrace without notifying the change. It was obvious, said the probation officer, that Nott was spending niore m liquor than he could afford, and at the same time was impoverishing his wife and. family. Darby said he was not satisfied that Nott was .doing his best to make restitution of £25, the amount involved m a previous charge on which he was released on probation. So far he had paid back only £4. Nott, a soldierly-looking individual, pleaded that he had made a mistake regarding the date of expiry of his prohibition order, and had actually another six days to run. * ,- He had had only one beer- and one gin. He considered that he was only technically guilty of breach of probation. 7_ The rrjagistrate sentenced Nott to fourteen days' hard labor for the breach of probation, and he was convicted and discharged on the other charge. Half an hour later the magistrate recalled the prisoner and stated that, having learned that he was now m steady employment, and having no de.slre to inflict a hardship on Nott's wife and family, he would revoke the sentence and inflict a. fine of £2. A period of two weeks, was allowed m which to find the money. Nott stepped down from the box looking the most satisfied and contented man m court.