PRISONER'S PLEA

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1930, Page 2

PRISONER'S PLEA

“NO ONE TO LOVE HIM.” “I have no one to look after me, sir, If I had a wife or a young lady, it would be a different thing. The only thing I can do is to go and get a drink, sir.” Not a little histrionic ability was displayed at the Greymouth Magistrate’s Court to-day, by. Michael Murphy, 33, whose native country was given as England. He made an eloquent plea for “a sporting chance,” but Mr J. Tennent, J.P., decided that the best thing for Murphy was a week in gaol. He was charged with drunkenness, and had been thrice previously convicted for similar offences, within six months. “How do you plead?” asked the Clerk of the Court, after reading the charge. “Well, Your Worship,” replied Murphy, “I was a bottle of beer on my own last night, and the constable picked me up. I suppose I was drunk, or he would not have picked me up.” This was taken as a plea of not guilty, to enable the police to prove the charge. Constable Corcoran stated that he arrested Murphy at 11 o’clock last night, on Richmond Quay. Defendant was then drunk. “I am a grafter, you can look at me,” said Murphy, throwing out his arms, in an appealing gesture. “There are my hands. I have worked right through the Island. I am trying to get work.” “Do you wish to give evidence? asked the Clerk.

Michael entered the witness box, and gave his name. “What is your occupation?” “Seaman and general labourer,” said Murphy. “I am a qualified worker, without fear of contradiction. You can offer me a job now. I have come down. I got a few pounds, and spent it and get drunk.” Asked by Mr Tennent where he had een living, defendant said he was at Lake Kanieri until October 16, and had been working up the Buller Gorge since. Mr Tennent: You don’t seem to have made a very good opportunity of your work when you go it. “Give a man a sporting chance, sir!” appealed Murphy. “That is all I want, sir. I never do anything else when I get drinking. That is the only thing against me —I got drunk. Give a man a sporting chance, sir, I am not begging or anything like that. I am pleading for myself.” Mr Tennent: How long were you at Lake Kanieri?—Three months.

Senior-Sergeant Roach said that Murphy was convicted on September 4 for drunkenness, also on October 18 and 19. “That is my weak point,” admitted defendant. “I get a few pounds, and go off and get drunk.” “It is a very bad point,” commented Mr Tennent.

“Yes, sir, it is,” agreed Murphy, “I have no one to look after me. If I had a wife or a young lady, it would be a different thing. The only thing I can do is to go and have a drink.”

Mr Tennent asked if there was anything against defendant apart from drunkenness.

“No,” replied the Senior-Sergeant. “Just drunkenness. He does not seem to be able to keep sober when he has got money.” Mr Tennent: I think the best thing we can do for you, considering you don’t have any control over yourself, is to give you some sort of lesson. You have got no money. What money you 'do get you don’t seem, to apply very judiciously. I think the best thing we can do is to give you seven days .in gaol. Probably that will be a lesson to you. “Thank you, sir,” said Murphy. He was liable, in view of a fourth conviction for drunkenness within six months, to imprisonment not exceeding three months, without option of a fine.