A HEATHEN IN COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 162, 9 July 1903, Page 4

A HEATHEN IN COURT.

DANIEL AND THE BIBLE. £l\

! ■ "tfanfel," • a ' : < whose face is familiar in ihe PoliceCourt,. provided an amusing interlude this morning; when he was charged with assaulting a Queen-Street fruiterer named "Hannah" Zainey.

The evidence of the prosecutor showed that Daniel, becanie. annoyed when he found the price of bananas too high, and struck the complainant twice in the face. Daniel, whose faulty English. and. explanatory gestures caused a great deal of: amusement, alleged.that he was.first assaulted. He. had a beating inside .the shop, and had a policeman outside, ready for himself.. He simply shook- up-the prosecutor between- two fruit boxes. (Laughter.)

Daniel held the Bible upside down when in the witness box, and solemnly eyed it- while he repeated his evidence. Sub-Inspector Black, in cross-examin-ing him, asked if he knew the nature of an oath? Did he know what he was swearing ?

Daniel: I know myself, I never swear in mv life. . .

The Chairman (Mr P. E. Cheal): Do you understand what that book is? ,

Daniel (turning the Bible over with a critical air) : It's a Roman Catholic book. I can't read it.

The, Chairman: Have you ever heard of a book called the Bible?

Daniel: Oh, yes, I might have. The fine was 40/ and costs, or seven days' imprisonment, and, the interesting Samoan. gave a very audible sigh- after he had searched his pockets and made up his mind to go to gaol.