A PECULIAR CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIV, Issue 12274, 17 August 1900, Page 3

A PECULIAR CASE.

AN ABSENT-MINDED MAN. Thomas Chappie, a young man, was charged, before Mr Beetham, yesterday, cuse in the enclosed garden of Morten&en with having been found without lawful exJensen, in Durham Street on Wednesday. Mortensen Jensen -stated that he -.. was on , his. way home on Wednesday evening about ten o'clock, and as he reached his garden he saw the accused wandering about. Witness stood on the road and watched the accused, who wandered about for three-quarters of an hour, and then went out on to the road. Witness askhim what he was doing, and he said that he had 'lost his stick oyer the fence, and was looking, for it'.:. He was'perfectly sober. Constable MTnnes stated that about eleven ' o'clock;" on Wednesday night he arrested, the. accused. .Witness, foundaccused's stick. lying about ; ten yards from the gate. The accused stated that he was. walking home, 'and not being well, and having some trouble, he was thinking deeply as he walked along, and twirling his stick, when it slipped from his hand over the fence of complainant's place. He went to the house but found there was no one at home. Still thinking of;,his trouble he sat on a box 'at the back door for some time. After looking for a while for his walking stick he went out to the road to try and obtain, some matches. He saw Jensen and another man there, and he went over to them to ask for matches, when he was arrested. The Rev Sydney Baker stated that he knew the accused to be a young man of exemplary character, and very unlikely to be mixed up in any questionable action. Witness had known the accused and his family for many years. G. Allen also spoke in the highest terms of accused's character. The Bench were of the opinion that no further evidence was .necessary, and in dismissing the case told the accused to get rid of his trouble as speedily as possible.