“HAD A ROUGH SPIN.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9747, 13 December 1922, Page 3

“HAD A ROUGH SPIN.”

REGULAR CUSTOMER AT COURT. “ Familiarity breeds contempt,” and when a man has appeared several times in the role of a defendant in a maintenance case at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court he is inclined to take the proceedings very casually indeed. James Hallam, who appeared before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., yesterday, was in that category. He was £2O 10s in arrears on an order for the maintenance of his son. Mr A. S. Taylor appeared for the complainant. “Haven’t I seen you before?” enquired the Magistrate as defendant entered the box and clasped the brass rail as if he was greeting an old friend. “Oh, yes, I’m a regular customer,” replied defendant nonchalantly. The Magistrate: Is this your boy?— They all say so; I can’t dodge it 1 “This is the humorist,” Mr Widdowson explained- to the Court. Mr Taylor: You’ve been working for the last four months ?—No; three months at iJlie outside. I did four and a half days’ work and put in 10s, but I wouldn’t have done it, as I only got two and a half days the next week. If your employer says you’ve been working for four months at £4 6s. 8d a week, lie’s wrong ?—I push I had; I would not be here.

How much do you earn ?—About 15s a day. Why didn’t you pay in more ? —I .must get clothes; this is the only confounded coat I’ve got. It’s a\l her fault from the yery jump. She’s to blame.

The Magistrate: That will ’do. Defendant: She won’t le' me see the boy. Mr Taylor: Have you ever told anybody you wouldn’t pay anything towards the boy?—Never on'your life. I haven’t made that statement for years. You reckon your wife’s second husband ought to keep the boy ?—No; I’ve had legal authority on the question.

• “I finish up to-morrow and do nothing till next year,” volunteered defendant, “otherwise I’ll have to go to the ‘ loo.’ I’m saving up a bob or two for Christnlas myself. I want clothes bad.” '' The Magistrate: Don’t you think your boy wants something this year?— •Yes. , '' ■ Referring to his former \yife, defendant said: “She’s got me the sack from two or three jobs. If she wants me to pay she ought to leave me alone. I {was served with a summons when I was on crutches. ’ Complainant stated that defendant had told Air Wilson he would sooner go to gaol than pay maintenance. Defondant: What about adjourning the case and calling Mr Wilson ? , May I ask a question of this individual, this “ disused ” wife ?

To complainant: Isn’t yout husband a half-pie foreman ? Why don’t you let me see the child ?

Complainant said defendant was not fit to see the child.

“Not a fit person, eh?” enquired defendant; “that’ll keep. ; In what way aren’t I a fit person ? Your Worship, I’ve had a hard time and a rough spin. The Magistrate: The best thing is to call this employer of his. I will adjourn the case for a week for that purpose. ■ '