HIS MISTAKE

Evening Star, Issue 19263, 31 May 1926, Page 10

HIS MISTAKE

WRONG HOUSE AND WRONG BED [Special to the ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. A stranger who made a mistake in regard to his lodging house caused consternation in one household yesterday. The story was told in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when Arthur Smaill Johnston, sharebroker, aged fifty-four, was charged with having been found drunk in Hereford street, and -with wilfully trespassing on the dwelling house of Charles Overton, in Hereford street, and -refusing to leave after being warned to do so.

Johnston pleaded guilty. Senior-sergeant Martin said Johnston was staying at St. Elmo. He went to Overton’s place, and refused to leave. He was escorted out, but returned whilst the occupants were in some other part of the house, went upstairs, _and got into bed. About a quarter to 6 he was found in bed, apparently quite happy and contented. Mrs Overton went upstairs, and naturally gob a great shock. The Magistrate (Mr Widdowson, S.MA inquired if all this was the result of drunkenness.

Senior Sergeant: Mostly all. Mr CracroU Wilson (for defendantl said there was a certain amount of humor in it.

The Magistrate: Not for the lady. Mr Cracroft Wilson said Johnston got out with some friends from Dunedin. ■ He was stopping at St. Elmo, and it might be confusing for a stranger, even if he had no liquor. This had occurred at 4.30, in the afternoon. Accused got into bed and went to sleep, and was duly gathered up. Counsel asked if the 'magistrate could suppress the name. “ 1 suppose,” he said, “ that, the whisky is stronger here than in Dunedin.”

The Magistrate: These are things they should think of before they take liquor. If that plea were to hold, what would happen?, * On the first charge accused was fined 10s, in default twenty-four hours; and on the second £3, in default ten days. Mr - ’Cracroft 'Wilson: .What about suppression of'the name? The Magistrate: I’ll leave that in the hands of the Press itself.