WENT TO SEE DESERT GOLD.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 May 1918, Page 6

WENT TO SEE DESERT GOLD.

A number of parents of children attending the Palmerston North school appeared at the local Police Court this week to answer charges of allowing their children to stay away from school on the occasion of the Manawatu Jockey Club’s last meeting. One woman was I indignant at being brought before the Court. “Surely, said she, “it is not a crime to keep my boy away from school for one day in the year.” The magistrate tried to explain that this was not the point, that races must be subsidiary to schooling. He stated that he might with -just as much reason postpone the Court’s business on the day of the races. The woman muttered something about being brought to Court to pay money to people who did not need it. “I don’t believe in races,” said she. “If I had my way, I would do away with them, and hotels too. But everyone was talking about Desert Gold, and the boy had a craving to see the horse, so I let him go.” The Inspector: In some places the clubs won’t allow children on the course. ~ ■ Defendant: They ought to stop anybody going on the course. His Worship: And yet you allowed your boy to go. I will make a fine of 10s, costs 7s. The mother, irate during the proceedings, stormed out of the Court. "I hope it will* do you good!” was her parting shot.