"A PEST"

NZ Truth, Issue 1213, 28 February 1929, Page 2

"A PEST"

McKay Hears From Police CONVICTED (Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Cisborne Rep.) "A regular pest," was the police description of ■ John McKay, a young married man with a large family, who appeared before the court at Gisborne recently for the third .time since the beginning of the year. McKAT and his relatives have 'long been obnoxious to Gisborne police officers but invariably they supply a degree of humor when before the court. ' * This time John was merely charged with plain drunkenness, but this did not restrain his loquacity. In a loud voice of the broadest Clydeside accent he pleaded not guilty, but the police evidence left the presiding justices no room for doubt. , McKay was described as being so drunk, that he was lying- down m the gutter, while, when two companions came to his assistance, he could not stand on his feet. McKay reckoned he uould not have been very drunk as he had stood up for work on the wharf for over three hours later. ' ' "You're a real pest, aren't you Jock?" asked Senior-sergeant MacLean. "A pest, am I? In what way may I ask?" was the surprised retort. "Only the other day the Stipendiary Magistrate,- Mr,. Levvey, said that if a man was drunk and his friends would take him home he should be left alone," he added. . • "Well, the police aren't, going to let you go home, no matter what anyone else, says," replied the police officer. "He's a regular^ pest," he added to the bench. "Thisis his third appearance this year." , 'An inquiry from the bench as to whether he was prepared, to take out a prohibition order started McKay off again, but his explanations were cut short. When pressed for an answer, he replied with emphasis: "No. I'm not." 'A. fine of £1 m default seven days was imposed, time to pay being refused. A