WILD WEST SHOW AT FOXTON

Shannon News, 15 March 1929, Page 1

WILD WEST SHOW AT FOXTON

INTOXICATED HORSEMAN SCATTERS PEDESTRIANS.

CONSTABLE'S DIFFICULTY IN EFFECTING- ARREST.

At the Foxton Courthouse on Monday before Messrs J. K. Hornblow and G. Fraser, J.'sP., James Henry Howe was charged with in Main Street, Foxton, on March. Ist, being drunk in charge of a horse. Accused was also charged with resisting Constable Owen in the execution of his duty.

Accused pleaded guilty to both charges. Constable Owen said that accused, who was a labourer, residing at Motujitjfy j'ode into Foxton on horseback anil commenced drinking. The liquor had a sudden and severe effect on him as a few minutes before noon witness received a telephone message that Howe was attempting to ride into various business premises in Main Street, and was riding his horse on the footpath and > scattering pedestrians. Witness discovered accused attempting to ride,into the Commercial Bank and the horse becoming frightened reared back. Howe, however, dug the spurs in and urged the animal up the second step when witness seized the bridle and after some struggle managed to get the horse and rider into the police station. When Howe xealised where he was he resisted violently and digging the spurs into his horse, caused it to rear up and throw witness against the car shed wall. Howe then sent the horse down the drive leading out of the yard at a full gallop.' Witness 1 wife, however, had noticed the struggle and had slammed the gate shut but had to make a speedy exit from the drive and accused was galloping straight at her. Witness recovered' himself and dashad after the rider and managed to pull him off: the horse just as he was about to .open the gate. Witness: had never seen such a wild .West Show off tihe picture screen. Drink was the cause of 1 -the trouble and witness had suggested that accused should take out a prohibition order, against himself but this he refused to do. He was a particularly quiet man when sober. , The JBen'ch, inconvicting and. fining Howe £1 on the* first charge and £5 on the second, 'pointed ■ out to him the seriousness.'of being drunk while in chargciof was, very fortunate that the school children were not in the vicinity at the time. The seriousness of the second chtJgi was also pointed out to him, more active interest in earthly affairs. Preparation for the world to come had overshadowed the preparation for this life.

"In tlie past we have left the control of civilisation to men of action, •• concluded Professor Belshaw. "There is a challenge to the Church as well as to our schools and universities to provide leaders of thought who will make a beneficial impact on the whole community. '' '