"MUST BE A BOER."

Auckland Star, Issue 66, 19 March 1900, Page 5

"MUST BE A BOER."

PANMURE RESIDENT'S PECULIAR

REMARKS.

An elderly man named John Donnelly was charged at the Police Court this morning with having used insulting language in a public place, calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Sub-Inspector Wilson appeared for the prosecution.

George Budge, the licensee of the j Panmure Hotel, deposed that on the 20th ult_ the defendant, who was riding past the hotel, commenced to abuse the British ensign, flying from the flag-staff, and to revile the Queen, using Aery treasonable 'language. The defendant proceeded to remark that "if the Boers were as numerous as the British they would drive the English into the sea, and I would like to see them do it." The bystanders told him he ought to be ashamed of himself. On the next day the defendant stopped outside the hotel and made similar remarks about "the English." A bystander who had heard the remarks gave corroborative evidence. Sub-Inspector: Did this language have any effect upon you? Witness: It did, sir, terrible. (Laughter.) Sub-Inspector: What did you say? Witness: I said I would pull him off his horse. Then he calmed down and kind of apologised. Defendant: What did you say to me first? Witness: I said "you must be a Boer." Defendant: Didn't you ask me if I was an Englishman? Witness: No, because I had just told you you was a Boer. (Laughter.) The defendant, who had pleaded not guilty to the charge, said he had been under the impression that the bystanders were laughing at him, and that had made him angry. Mr Brabant, S.M., said it did not appear that the words were used in joke at all, and according to the evidence they were calculated to cause a serious breach of the peace.

It did,

sir, terrible

I said "you must be a

Mr Cotter, whom the defendant called-as a- witness to character, said he had always found the defendant an industrious, steady man, holding somewhat of a position in Panmure. He (witness) was surprised to hear that such a charge hatl been brought against the defendant.

Defendant: I have been fifteen years in New Zealand and never had a summons before.

His Worship: I don't know what induced you to make use of this language, but I have evidence that you did make use of it, and not in a joking sort of a way. The language was calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Fined 20/ and costs £1 4/6.