“GIVE ME A CHANCE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 293, 2 March 1928, Page 1

“GIVE ME A CHANCE”

COURT MELODRAMA PRISONER’S FERVID PLEA “WILL LEAD CHRISTIAN LIFE 1 ' “I've joined the Salvation Army, and I want to lead a Christian life —give me the last chance,” said William Richard Bryant, aged 58, as he burst into tears in the Police Court dock to-day. Bryant was charged with trespassing on his wife’s property during the currency of a maintenance order. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that accused had been similarly charged on two previous occasions. On his last appearance he was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Bryant; at this stage began to -weep and announced his conversion, j “Look, your Worship,” he said, “I ! want to get my reputation back and lead a good life —give me a chance.” The magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean: It wouldn’t be any good giving you a chance, Bryant. “Yes it would,” replied accused brokenly.. “Give me a chance to lead this new Christian life and I’ll never come back here.” He added that he had not gone to his wife’s home to offend her, but merely to take a parcel. The Magistrate: What was in the parcel? Accused: An enlarged photograph of myself. MOTHER’S HEART BROKEN “Give that chance,” he burst out again. “It’s only breaking my mother’s heart, this coming up here.” The Magistrate: You must have done that pretty often—you've got 5S convictions. Bryant’s melodramatic plea -was not i vain. He got his chance. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on.