AMUSING SCENES IN COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3585, 10 March 1914, Page 7

AMUSING SCENES IN COURT.

“HORI PORK” DEFENDS A CHARGE.

MAGISTRATE REMARKS ON PUBLIC LEVITY.

There were many onlookers at the Police Court sitting yesterday, and the hearing of one case was punctuated with outbursts of laughter until His Worship (Mr R. S. Flora nee, S.M.) had reason to have one person brought forward from the body of the Court, while he also made a general reprimand regarding the spirit of undue levity which prevailed. The cause of the disturbance was George Paterson, otherwise “Hori Pork,” a wellknown local character, who was charged with having, on March 6, supplied one Henry Morse, a prohibited person, with liquor, knowing that Morse was prohibited. Mr Burnard appeared for accused and peferrod a plea of guilty. Counsel found it a difficult matter to keep his client from talking loudly during the hearing. Constable Harrold said that at 6.40 a.m. on the -6th he saw Morse on the corner of Lowe Street and Gladstone Road with accused. Paterson took the bottle from his pocket and Morse put it to his lips as though drinking. This was further down the street. The bottle produced was the one. Accused (with dramatic effect) : No, ho finished it—like this (pursing his lips and gulping wildly). Constable Harrold added that there was some brandy still in the bottle, lit' saw accused give the man the liquor. Accused; I didn’t know him from a crow. (Laughter). His Worship: Do you know this ina n ? Constable Harrold: Yes, I know him well. Accused; Yes, it’s all right. I’ve done time. (Laughter). Constable Harrold : He gets a job and stays out of town for a few weeks, but- soon comes back again. Accused: And I’ve got a job to go to now. His Worship : Is he known at the hotels. Accused (heartily): Of course I am. I have been here for 3(> years. I ought to be (laughter). Mr Burnard said he admitted supply, but appeared on behalf of a gentleman who had engaged accused to place the position before His Worship. Accused was a man who was weak in some ways. In the particular case, a man approached Paterson and a friend and asked them for sixpence. The trail said he was suffering from the effects of drink and accused gave him a sip of brandy as a stimulant. Accused: And he took the lot (laughter). Mr Burnard said Paterson said he did not know the man and submitted that His Worship must, in the circumstances, believe him. Hori was emphatic in taking the oath as lie entered the witness box and he also tried to take the bottle and what brandy was in it, but the police would’not let him. “Now,’ said Mr Burna’rd, you supplied— ’’ “Unknowingly, remember unknowingly,’’ said the accused. ••Yes, unknowingly gave a drink ot brandy to a prohibited man? “Yes, it was like this: there were two blokes at the Masonic corner and Morse came up and asked one of these blokes for a tanner (laughter). I asked if he was suffering from drink. 1 gave him a brandy and told him to leave a little for me, but he drank the whole lot (laughter).” Air Burnard: Dul you know whetll “I did not know, if there is a God above us 1 did not know.” Alt- Burnard: We will not investigate that just now. Accused: I suppose I will be shot for this, but still I did not know (laughter). , , Sen.-Sergt Hutton: If you thought this was an honest action, why did you move some yards round the corner. Accused (vacantly): I said “leave a little drop for me” and he swanked the lot (laughter). Further questions elicited from accused the retort: “Now, Air Hutton, you can’t bully me out, because I am speaking the truth (laughter).” Someone in Court clapped Ins hands with enthusiasm, whereon Sen.-Sergt. Hutton said: “Put that man out.” “Bring him up here,” said the Alagistrate. His Worship talked to the man who had disturbed the Court and told him that he was guilty of a serious action. “Pin very sorry. Your Worship,” he said.

“Then never do that again or you will he punished. I never saw such disorderly Court behavior in mv life before. 1 am .surprised. I thought that the general people of Gisborne knew better.” Sen.-Sergt. Hutton: Why d:d you go away if you did not fee! guilty ? “ Accused:’ Well, what is the good of staying with a man who’s got nothing, eh ? (laughter). Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.