“AN OLD BIRD.”

Shannon News, 11 January 1927, Page 4

“AN OLD BIRD.”

t ■ -i ■ . GOES TO HARD LABOUR. CLAIMS TO. BE A RAIN-MAKER. NAPIER, January 10. At the Napier Police Court this morning, before Mr Dyer, S.M., John Nelson, aged 34, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person. He pleadhd not guilty. Constable O’Halloran (Waipawa) stated that he received complaints that the man was on Mr H.'M. Campbell's property at Poukawa. The man said he w'as -‘John the Baptist, and was there to do the work of the Lord in getting water for sheep.” The hotelkeeper, the constable said, had been pestered by him. „ Senior-Sergt. Powell said accused was in gaol for a week and appeared to be well mentally. Accused said he was not ordered off the station. He had had visions from God/and was told to publish them. He was told to go forth to Hawkes Bay and do work there in feeding the sheep. He succeeded in breaking. up the drought. He asked for rain at Otane and it came and the same thing happened at Hastings. His Worship: I think you are putting this up on me. Accused: No, sir. I stand by the Bible. I have failed to get a job although' I have tried. His Worship: I'll find work for you. I think the religious business is for the purpose yf escaping punishment. You are an “old bird.” You will be given three months’ hard labour. There is good solid work for you to do.