"ONLY A LAMB."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 11

"ONLY A LAMB."

HUMOUR IN COURT.

BULL THOUGHT DANGEROUS. "RATS," EXCLAIMS DEFENDANT (By Telegraph.—Press Assoelntlon.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. "Within the next year there may be a.,terrible tragedy if the bull is allowed to be a-t large," said Mr. G. R. Powles, counsel for tflie Hutt County Council, in the Magistrate's Court, when Archibald George Gledhill, of "Carnation Castle," Point Howard, was charged before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., with permitting a bull to be at large on Nikau Road Lowry Bay, on May 19 and 22. "Rats!" interrupted defendant, who conducted his own case, when he heard Mr. Powles' statement. "Silence!" shouted the Court orderly. "Rats!" agajn exela'med defendant. "Silence, Mr. Gledhill!" shouted the orderly, advancing r pace. Defendant replied that the bull was "only a lamb." He wanted to cultivate a Jersey herd, as Lord Bledisloe had said. Mr. Mosley: But you have only one heifer! Defendant: Yes, but the milk and cream are delicious, and I hope to have more. Mr. Powles said that defendant had a Jersey bull about four years old. He kept it at Point Howard. "That is oratory, your Worship, not evidence, isn't it ?" interrupted defendant. 'Mr. Mosley: Mr. Powles is entitled to open his case. Mr. Powles did not say anything further, but called Constable Squires, of Eastbourne. "Don't Stutter, Please." Constable Squires: On May 22 I received a complaint that a bull was at large at Point Howard, so I went there. Defendant: Don't stutter, please. I want to hear. Constable Squires: The bull was on the roadside. I got close, but it got very threatening and put its head down, so I departed immediately. The bull was dangerous and savage. Defendant: Were not your instructions first to investigate r complaint of breaking and entering into my property 1 Constable Squires: No. They were to investigate the bull. Defendant (interrupting): Please stop stuttering. (To the magistrate): He has to stop, hasn't he ? His Worship: He's all right. J. B. Yaldwyn, in evidence, said that he was a. solicitor living at Lowry Bay. Mr. Powles: You live next to the defendant? Witness nodded. Defendant: Please stop nodding—and apeak up, plense I'm deaf. Witness said tlint on May 22 he took two photographs of the bull at large. Defendant: Most interesting for the bull. The Magistrate: Most interesting for the Court. Please keep quiet, Mr. Gledhill. Defendant, givjng evidence, said that he was a commission agent and that he owned "Carnation Castle'' and other properties at Lowry Bay. He had suffered tremendous damage from his neighbours. They did not like the "Castle" and wanted to get £s.d. from him. "My Bull's n Lamb." Mr. Powles objected. He said that the residents at Lowry Bay had had legitimate cause for complaint. A Jersey bull was known to be of a suspicious and untrusting character. Defendant: My bull's a lamb. ( Mr. Powles: We would not object if the bull were disposed of. Defendant (jumping up): Fancy a stndmaster disposing of his bull! The Court Orderly: Silence! Silence! Defendant It's all rubbish. The Magistrate: I'm afraid. Mr. Gledhill. the evidence is unimpeachable. The bull was on the road when the photographs were taken. Defendant: Who put it there? It may be there now. The neighbours were responsible. They don't like the bull I will get a boy to look after him if you will "keep these villians away. Tf you would come up and have a look at "him vou would be astounded He's like a kitten. This is no laughing matter. %. The Magistrate: I know its not. I like cattle, but a Jersey bull makes my hair stand on end. Mr. Powles said that .the residents of Lowry Bay who had comnlained would withdraw their objection if the "Castle" were more adccjiintoly fenced. Defendant: I will make the "Castle grounds impregnable. The Magistrate: Tt is your duty as a citizen to keep your fence in order. Defendant: If you will caution all of the neighbours at Lowry Bay not to get at the bull behind my back I will put up an impregnable fence within a week. The case was adjourned for a fortnight, and defendant was ordered to pay costs.