An Auctioneer's Grievance.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 209, 6 September 1886, Page 2

An Auctioneer's Grievance.

Great amusement was caused in the Police Court to-day by Mr J. M. Philion when he ateppqd into tho witness box to give his evidence relative to tho charge against Austin of slaughtering cattle without a liceneo. He eaid he wanted to know what this case was all about, and tho Magistrate very kindly explained that it was a re-hearing of a case in which Mr Philson had already-given evidence, and tbe charge was read out. Mr Philson proceeded to say amidst laughter that he would like to know what redress ho was to have. The papers had referred to this animal as a cancerous cow and cancerous bullock, and it had dono him harm to go forth as if he had been selling diseased animals. Amidst renewed merriment, in which tho Bench joined, Mr Philson said be wanted somebody to look over tho newspaper reports beforo they left the Court and see what was being publiahed. He asserted that the bullock was not cancerous, although the papers would make it appear that it waa. He objected to this. Tho Bonch looked helpless, and vouchsafed no reply.—Mr Braesey then proceeded to examine the witness relative to the disease from which tbo animal was Buffering. Mr Philson, amidst roars of laughtor, said it was what was known as "Braesey's cancer." The fact of the mattor was that the animal put its horn in its fai", and caused a wound in its eye. (Laughter). Mr Brassey subsequently stated that a great flutter was made by Mr Philson and others, with the object of making light of the animal's disease, but there was no doubt that the diaeaae was cancer. His statement waa borne out by Mr Byers, who asserted that the sore was a running one about the Bize of an egg. He was satisfied that Mr Browning would not like a joint of the meat on his table. Other witnesses also bore out Mrßrassey's opinion.