HUMOUR IN COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1946, Page 6

HUMOUR IN COURT

VARIED EXCUSES FROM OFFENDERS

“CATCHES” IN HOTELS

The excuses given on the spur of the moment by men found on licensed premises after hours, as quoted by police witnesses, drew a few smiles among those present at the Police Court sitting at Greymouth yesterday. . They were many and more varied than usual.

Discovered at the bar of one Greymouth hotel, after midnight, one man informed the police that his wife was-, ill and he had gone to the hotel to get her some brandy. “However, he had not got' as far as obtaining the brandy,” added the police witness.

The “Cure”

J'Curing himself first. It is only natural,” commented the Magistrate, Mr A. A. McLachlan, not without the trace of a smile.

In one hotel, three men were found down on their hands and knees behind the bar, but that did not prevent them from producing an excuse. “One said he had come in to use the ’phone and another said he had come to pick up a meat order,” added the police witness. Two other offenders were more candid if, not quite truthful. They said that they had entered the bar “for a rest” and “to have a yarn.”

No Defended Cases

Of course, there were the usual “excuses” among the list, including intention to book a room—but rather belatedly—and the use of conveniences. And, also, the exception too the general rule—those who bore their misfortune bravely and merely gave the following reply to the routine question, “I came in for a drink.”

None of the defendants, however, irrespective' of his original excuse to the police, thought it worthwhile to attempt to convince the Magistrate of his sincerity and not one of the cases was defended in court.