AN AFFABLE STRANGER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 113, 16 May 1927, Page 8

AN AFFABLE STRANGER

ANNOYS A POLICEMAN Most people who have had a- few drinks probably make it their business to avoid a policeman. Not so, however, with a well-dressed clerk, 48 years of age, who appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. According •to Senior-Sergeant Lander, the accused, who was charged with having obstructed a policeman in the execution of his duty, saw Constable S. C. Browne on his beat in Cuba street on Saturday evdning. “How are you doing, Joe?” he inquired affably. But Constable Browne was busy, and did not wish to enter into a conversation. The chatty stranger was persistent, and started to walk along the beat with the man in blue, singing the while. He would not go away, bo the constable had to arrest him. “It was apparent that he had had some drink, but not enough to warrant his arrest for drunkenness," added the SeniorSergeant. “There was no physical obstruction, but the accused made a great nuisance of himself.”

“The accused is heartily ashamed of his absurd conduct,” said Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell in asking the Magistrate to extend leniency. . .

Mr. Page: “His act was more stupid than criminal. The accused will be fined £l.” Counsel’s application for the suppression of publication of the name was granted.