A NICE NEW SOVEREIGN

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 270, 20 August 1925, Page 7

A NICE NEW SOVEREIGN

GETS WOMAN INTO TROUBLE SAILOR WHO WANTED IT BACK “Oh, don’t send me to an institution, Your Worship,” she cried wildly, flinging her arms around the dock rail for support. “Please don’t. I will run straight if I get the chance— really, I will. Issue a prohibition order against me. or do any mortal thing you like, out Oh—Don’t take me away from my husband ” . 'these words were used in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday by Delia Hazel Gorrie. as she pleaded with Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., for her freedom. Detective Cooper had just entered the witness box, and told the Court all he knew about her. She was, he said, a bad woman, well-known to the police, and had several convictions for drunkenness against her. Though having had many chances, she was still the same. . The case excited a great deal of interest, because an American sailor appeared as the chief witness for the Crown. His name was Gail Metie, and in company with another “son of the sea” from the Oklahoma, he had met accused the previous evening. Wanted a Meal. It appeared from the evidence tendered tliat Earl Thomas and Gail Metie were two American visitors looking round the town. It was night-time, and they felt hungry. Metie suggested that they should go and have a hi cal. They went inside a cafe and ordered fish and chips. While waiting t° bt served, a woman came along. one asked them would they lend her a glass to get some water in. "Certainly, said one of the lads from U.S.A. ’Go ahead.” A few minutes later the woman, who had been sitting opposite with a man, came towards them once again. They began to talk of things in general. Gorrie spoke of gold, and said: “Mv word, vou bovs are lucky to get gold. We haven’t seen anv since the war. Give me a look at a sovereign, will you?” “Well ” went on Metie, turning towards the S.M.,_ “Thomas took out a new, shining coin, and passed it to her. She then showed it to her friend, whom she had introduced as ‘my husband’s cousin,’ and it quickly disappeared. ‘Come on, hand it overt Thomas remarked,' but Gorrie refused. ■No,’ she said, ‘you gave it me, and you will not have it back.’ They went outside, and Gorrie suggested, th at things were rather dry. She intimated that she knew a place where one could get a drink. Along came a car,, and all four stepped within. A minute ■ater they were running swiftly through the night. "Thomas kept on asking for his sovereign,” continued witness Metie, “and I saw the accused pass it to the man. When he refused to return it, Thomas said: “Right-oh. I’ll see about that.’ But before he could see about anything, the man . had opened the ■toor and jumped out of the car. Arguments followed, and when the vehicle had slackened speed a little, Thomas i-opied the other’s example, and followed swiftly in pursuit. Along came a policeman. Questions were asked, and Delia Hazel Gorrie was taken into custody.” ■ .

Inspector Hollis asked the Magistrate not to view the case leniently. “The accused has had numerous chances, Your Worship,” he said. “I suggest that vou send her to an institution.” Mr." Riddell said lie would not do that. However, ordinary means seemed to be of no avail. “I will not send you to an institution,” said the Magistrate, in settling the dispute. “However, you are well on your way towards going there. You will have a prohibition order made against you for a year. Besides this, you will be fined £2, in default seven days’ imprisonment.” Inspector Hollis! What about the sovereign, Your Worship? Mr. Riddell: That will be returned to the owner.