“YOUNG AUSTRALIA."

Temuka Leader, Issue 1807, 25 October 1888, Page 3

“YOUNG AUSTRALIA."

Under the above beading one of the English papers for August, baa the following A certain police magistrate in the early days—a rollicking, jovial Irishman—held bis court in a little wooden building in the main street of a small township on tbe gold diggings. One day, while be was administering justice, a local hotelkeeper rushed excitedly in, and cried out, “ Mr O’Dwyer! Mr O’Dwyer f I want justice.” “ Well, say what yon have got to say, and be quick about ic,” said His Worship. “Mr Smith,” said the complainant (pointing to tbe policeman in attendance) “ has said that my wife is no better than she should be, and I wont stand it, O’Dwyer,” “I am very sorry,” said the Magistrate (turning to tbe constable), that you should take away a lady’s character. You should not depreciate anybody’s character without the best authority.” “ 1 bad the best authority, Mr O’Dwyer,” said the constable. “ I’ll give it to yon it you like.” “ Who told yon?” said His Worship, with pardonable cariosity. “ You told me yourself 1” was tbe unexpected answer, “ You’re a—— liar I” shouted His Worship, amidst breathless silence, “ You can say so safely on the Bench,” replied tbe constable ; “ come outside, and we’ll soon see who’s the liar.”

“ Oh, you ean have me, me boy!” was the characteristic response, as His Worship bounded off bis seat and stepped outside the Court, and, amidst the cheers of an excited and delighted assemblage, the two gentlemen “ bad it outthen the magistrate resumed his seat, wiped the blood from his nose, and shortly after fined a digger £2 for fighting.