"TORN TO SHREDS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 236, 5 October 1937, Page 9

"TORN TO SHREDS."

WHEN SPRING COMES.

REMNANTS OF PENITENCE.

LABOURER «HOPELESS." A passage from Omar Khayyam was quoted by Mr. W. Noble in the Police Court this morning to illustrate the failings of his client, Ernest Edward Cox (~>4), labourer, charged with drunkenness in Hobson Street on Friday, breach of his prohibition order, and theft of a pair of trousers valued at 14/6 belonging to the Waitemata Loan Company.

Cox pleaded guilty to the first two charges, but not guilty to the one of theft.

"On Saturday when he appeared before two justices he pleaded guilty, but now he says he was still drunk on Saturday and didn't know what he was doing," said Sub-Inspector Fox. "We have no witnesses here to-day, so if he perseveres with his plea I will have to ask for a remand."

Cox then decided to plead guilty. Assistant Gives Chase. Sub-Inspector Fox said Cox was seen handling the trousers in front of the shop and then to run away with them. An assistant chased him but could not catch Cox. Cox was attempting to roll the trousers around his waist when Constable Brown arrested him. Cox was drunk. On September 14 Cox was before Mr. McKean, S.M.. for drunkenness, mischief and breach of his prohibition order. "On that occasion he appealed to your Worship for another chance and, you convicted and ordered him to come up for sentence within three months on his promising to keep away from liquor," added the sub-inspector. "Obviously Cox is hopeless. Here is his list of previous convictions. I think Mr. Noble is tired of looking at it."

Mr. Xoble: Cox has sworn repentance many times and he has a list as long as my arm. He's like the man Omar Khayyam spoke about when he wrote:—

Indeed, indeed, repentance oft before I swore, But was I sober when I swore. And then, and then came spring, And rot* in hand, My threadbare penitence apieces tore.

"That's what always happens to Cox when spring comes —the tattered remnants of his penitence are torn to shreds." (Laughter.)

Mr. McKean (looking at Cox'e list): It seems to happen even when autumn comes. Spring, summer, autumn and winter. It's all the same in anv season.

The magistrate said Cox could, not control his desire for liquor. Cox was stood down until to-morrow morning. He is to be medically examined in the meantime, and if a suitable subject he will be sent to Roto Roa Inebriates Island for twelve months.