HIS SEVENTY-FOURTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1932, Page 7

HIS SEVENTY-FOURTH.

INEBRIATE'S CONVICTION. MAN WHO " SELLS MUSIC." Besides being a habitual inebriate, Alfred Janice Maesey, who frequently appears at the Police Court, is also a habitual fun-maker. This morning, _ when he appeared and admitted a charge' of drunkenness, he said, " Give me a chance, sir." " A chance 1 " asked Mr. W. R. McKean. " You have 73 previous appearances noted on your list." Massey: Oh, rub them all out. They are old. (Laughter.) " Yes, he's a habitual inebriate," said Detective Sergeant Kelly. " I suppose you would like me to rub your convictions out, Massey. Do you work ? " asked the magistrate. Massey: Why, yes, I sell music and earn £1 a day. Of course, I've got to go into a pub, and then I get too much drink. Detective Sergeant Kelly smiled, and remarked that it was the first time he had heard that story from Massey. Massey: Yes, if you were a singer, Kelly, I could accompany you on the piano. (Laughter.) " The music you could play must be for a dark-town band," rejoined Mr. Kelly. "You would make a good corner man, anyway," said Massey to 3tlr. Kelly, amidst roars of laughter. , " I wouldn't like to join your tribe," Mr. Kelly told Maesey. The magistrate put an end to the exchanges when he said something that even made Massey himself smile. "A little peace and a quiet rest for 14 days " was what he said.