WHEN IS A MAN DRUNK ?

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3893, 1 April 1915, Page 6

WHEN IS A MAN DRUNK ?

A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN COURT. WEIGHT OF EVIDENthIf AGAINST ACCUSED. The sober and sorry individuals who appear from time to time at the Magistrate's Court to answer charges of drunkenness usually readily admit tho soft' impeachment, and are apparently only too glad to get tho business over and escape from tho tierce glare that beats about a man in the dock. An exception was struck yesterday morning when Frederick Joseph Nicholson promptly denied a charge <>i drunkenness. Constable Morris stated that be arrested accused in'a drunken state in Childers Road at •! o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. Witness stated that on Saturday night lie had occasion to go to accused’s house, and accused was then bordering on delirium tremens. Accused: That has nothing to do with this ease. What were the circumstances under which I came to the polieo station? Witness: You came to inquire who: was the constable who came to your house. Accused: Without a warrant. The witness explained that lie went to accused’s house in Gladstone Road m consequence of a telephom mo* sage. Tho man’s wife was out in tho street in fear of her life, and he was in the bouse with two big trunks, overhauling a lot of women’s clothes, and there was a lot of broket china on tho floor. Senior-Sergeant Hutton stated that ho was in his office, and heard accused come in and demand who was the eon•.tahle that went to his house. Tho cot-stable answered civillv. and accused abused Hie constable to such an extent that witness was called. Ho I'-i.siud the man out, and finding accused wa.s in a drunken condition, the latter was arrested. Accused: Did you not knock me down and kick mo ? .. Senior-Sergeant Hutton : 1 never did ; you can’t say that. As to lifting my boot and kickin''" you, it is a falsehood, and you know it. Accused was proceeding to argue as to what right had the constable to come on to private property, when his Worship said the question was whether accused was drunk. Accused asked to he allowed to call witnesses, and an adjournment was made for the purpose. Frederick Thomas Robinson, clerk in the employ of the Cook County Council, was called by the accused. Do you remember lire calling at the County Council office yesterday tor the rent book?—Yes. At what hour of the day was that? —ln tho morning. .1 Lis Worship •" What condition was accused in then?—He was under the influence of liquor. Accused : Was ! drunk or sober? Witness: I should say you wore drunk. Herbert Ernest Tweed said lie saw the accused about 3.J0 on Tuesday He appeared then to be in that condition which people describe as' ‘‘hah cut.” Accused: Was I compos mentis? Was 1. capable of doing business? Witness: I don’t consider a man under the influence is capable of conducting business. Asked by his Worship if he had anything to say, accused said : .! am a bard working man, who has not lost a dav’s work for twelve months. His Worship: That’s not ihc question. Tho question 1 have to inquire into is whether or not you were drunk on Tuesday. His Worship stated be was qv.it:satisfied from the evidence that accused was guilty of the offence charged against him. “It was very wrong of you to delav the Court as you have done, and put the police to all the trouble of procuring evidence. "i oil should have pleaded guilty,” said his Worship to accused.

A fine of £1 and costs 2s. in defauk *S hours’ imprisonment, was imposed

§7„ PATRICK'S SPORTS. FINAL MEETING OF COAIMJTTKE. The final meeting of the general Committee having in hand the arrangements for the snorts to be held on Easter Monday, met last night under the Chairmanship' of Mr Ed. Williams. It lias been decided to delete the Maiden Chop from the programme owing to ,111 insufficiency of logs, and to make the double-handed saw twice through. Members of the Committee reported that the entries for the Belgian Flag race were*, coining to hand freely, (he flag being flown at the Times Office until Saturday next. Mr J. C. Xisbett was appointed call steward for the -sports. It was decided that.members of Iho Committee should leave the Masonic corner for (lie Park by drag at 9.T0 on Monday morning. THE CHOPS. The following handicaps in the chopping events at St. Patrick's Sports have been declared by Mr C. Neenan : Underhand Chop.—F. Johnston and D. O’llourke scr., M. Williams ssec., M. McKay 10, M. O’Rourke 10. F. "Wilson 10 1). Cooke 10, W. Wilson 10, F. Smith 15, F. McKay 15, F. Alagbcr W. Eonaldson 20, F. Cullen 20, F. Boulsen 20. Doubfe-handed saw: Maglter and mate scr., M. O’Rourke and mate scr., Drummond and mate scr., D. O'ltotirko and mate scr., Olsen and mate scr., Wilson and mate scr., Parsons and mate osec. Standing Chop.—F. Johnson and D. O’Rourke scr., M. "Williams osec., F. Wilson 5, F. Smith 35, W. Eonaldson ] r>, W. Wilson 15, W. Cooke 15, <T. Reed 20, At. McKay 20. F. Maher 20, F. Cullen 20, A. Robertson 20, F. McKay 25.

WEDDING. LA N GRID G E—-SA fITH. H

Holy Trinity Church was tlie scene of a pretty wedding yesterday aiternooii, when Violet Emily, second daughter of Mr and Mrs W. IT. Smith, of Makauri, was married to Arthur Frederick, second, son of Air H. A!. liangridgo, of Wanganui. The bride, who was given away .by her father, looked charming, iu of ninon over mousollino-de-soie, finished with honiton edging and miniature pearls. The veil was daintily arranged with, orange blossoms. The bride carried a pretty bouquet of roses, and was attended by two maids,' Miss- Eva. Smith (sister) and Miss Huia Langrid go (sister of the bridegroom), the former wearing a frock of ivory crope-clo-cbene, trimmed with shadow lace, and the latter white embroidered voile-, both wearing black velvet hats trimmed witli shell pink, and carrying bouucts to match (the work of Miss Barnes, florist). The bridegroom was attendod by Mr J. Atackay as best man, and Mr Bert- Smith as groomsman. The reception was held in the Piccadilly rooms, a large number of friends being present. Airs Smith, mother of the bride, wore a costume of mustard cloth, with black velvet hat amHblack and white plumes. Airs Langridge, mother of the bridegroom, wore black taffeta, with seal hat. Mrs Slight, sister of the bride, wore national blue crepe-de-c.hene , trim mod with orange, and hat to match. Mrs P. AY. Smith wore a mote costume with black velvet hat. The happy couple left for South last night, the bride’s travelling costume being a limo gabardine. and black hat with smart aigrette. " ; :