"THE ONLY GAS-PIPE."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1531, 29 August 1912, Page 5

"THE ONLY GAS-PIPE."

OLD AGE PENSIONER CAUSES ■ LEVITY IN COURT.

(By Teleirapli.-SDccial Correspondent.) Auckland, August 27. An old age pensioner was-the cause of levity at one stage of the proceedings at t.ie criminal sessions of the Supreme Court to-day. \ ~'.' Uc '''. w!liit ha™ you to toll us about this affair? asked his Honour, after witness had been sworn. Pointing his finger at the Judge's We witness caused a mild sensation bv remarking in a loud tone: "You've got it all in black and white there. You don't want my evidence." ..Ab another stage (he prisoner, with decided emphasis, alleged that one of tho parties concerned in the case had attempted to "empty them all out of tho d —- houss." (Laughter.) His Honour: "You forget, you are in a j.ourt of Justice. You must'not use that language. Witness .'apologetically): "I never use bad language." Tho Hon. A. A. Tole (to witness): Was there any gas in tho house? ■Witness: No, sir. When I'm in the house I'm the only gns-pipe. (Laughter.) Mr. Tole then asked witness if he had made a certain statement to the police. Witness: The police oro not speaking the truth. I am speaking the truth, as God forgive me if 1 am not. (Laughter.)' Mr. Tole: I think you require forgiveness if you make an application of that kind. You say tho police don't tell the truth at all. Witness: Sometimes by accident. (Laughter.) A moment afterwards. Mr. Tole, holding up a grin bottle, which was one of tho exhibits in tho case, and which had a hole- in it, asked witness if he generally drank tlrrough a hole in a bottle or through, tho neck. Witness: Knock the top off and you can drink nnywhere you like. (More laughter.) . Another -witness added his contribution of lighter vein by remarking: "We were both pretty 'swanked' at the time."