“NOT MUCH . . ."

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 140, 30 November 1938, Page 4

“NOT MUCH . . ."

SO WE EXPLICIT ANSWERS TRIALS OF A MAGISTRATE VAGUE INFORMATION The trials and tribulations ot' a Magistrate —especially as far as the vague witness is concerned —were amply illustrated in the Pukekohe court on Monday, during the course of a defended judgment summons. The case was one in which an order was sought for payment from a seasonal worker who owed some £lB for fruit purchased. The Magistrate: How much have you been earning in the last six months ?

The debtor (in the box) : Well, not much.

A further question elicited the fact that he had averaged from £3 10s to £4 weekly during the whitebait season just ended. I The Magistrate: Have you any money owing to you? Witness: Not much. The Magistrate: What do you mean? Defendant stated that he would get some money for goods yet to be delivered. The Magistrate: How much money have you now. Witness: Oh, well, not much. The Magistrate: How much? A millionaire sometimes says that, he has “not much.” Witness admitted that he might have £5 or £6. After further questioning, the Magistrate (Mr W. 11. Freeman) consented to adjourn the matter until the next court day, when defendant could “perhaps tell us what his assets are. and how much he has earned during the last six months.” “See what you can do in the meantime, and try to pay off 10s a Week.” the Magistrate aclvised.