"NOT A GLUTTON"

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 133, 18 March 1931, Page 6

"NOT A GLUTTON"

BREACH OF PROHIBITION ORDER A GENIAL DEFENDANT. AMUSEMENT IX THE COURT. (Special, to "The Guardian.") CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Itarel'v does the Court have such a genial defendant to deal with as George Humphries, of Ashburtou, a labourer, aged fifty-five years. He pleaded not guiltv this morning to charges of drunkenness and procuring liquor during the currency of a. prohibition order. His hearty voice, with just a . trace of the brogue, did not, however, ( prevent convictions from being entered in .both cases. Humphries denied having been drunk . biit admitted having a drink from a bottle belonging to a friend. "You gave me twelve months here Just over a year ago," .he. told the Magistrate (Mr B. D. Mosley). "I've still got 2s left out of my big pay from Paparua." "How much did you come out with?" asked Mr Mosley. The accused: ±3 Cs, sir. When did you come out?—A fortnight to-day. " . Sergeant Hyland: What of the rest of the liquor in the 'bottle? Humphries: I left it with my friends. I'am not a glutton. Mr Mosley: The twelve months must have done you good.—lt did, sir. .' When was the prohibition order "taken out? "On March 3," replied the sergeant. "I couldn't see any harm in having some drink," said accused. | • Mr Mosley: There is no excuse for you. A prohibition order means that ' vou must not touch liquor at all, and you deliberately break it. You do not deserve such consideration at the 'hands of the Court.—l don't want you to send me to gaol and put the Court • \o trouble. ; Oh, it's not the slightest trouble.— I'll ipav the cab hire, sir. For "drunkenness, Humphries was convicted and ordered to pay cab hire "Is 6d, and for breach of his prohibition order he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on within three months.