DRASTIC PUNISHMENT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3599, 3 April 1924, Page 8

DRASTIC PUNISHMENT

THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR OBSCENE LANGUAGE, Three months Imprisonment -without the option of a fine was the drastic sentence passed upon an offender yesterday upon a charge of obscene language, by Messrs T. R. Hodder and A. Headland, J.’sP. on the Bench at the Palmerston North Court, Thomas McDonald, a well-dressed young man, was charged that on April 2nd, lie did use obscene language In a railway carriage between Shannon and Palmerston North. Accused pleaded guilty. Senior-Ser-geant O’Grady appeared for the police Evidence heard from the guard of the train and a passenger, showed that the accused boarded the train at Shannon without a ticket. Ho tendered 2/2 for his faro, and upon being asked for another fid, used the obscene language complained of. This ho continued doing until Palmerston was reached, when ho was taken In charge. He appeared to have had a few drinks.

Asked if he lin'd nnythinr „o say, accused stated that ho ce a not remember having used t* language alleged. ACCUSED F .HD HIT. Mr Hodder, Ie 5 ’ .censed: "This is a very serious olWPcc, and the Bench considers Hint you ar c not deserving of an option of a line. A flue does not soon to make n. sufficient inpressiou upon young men like you. You used bad language lit a carriage within hearing of women and children, and continued to do so. This kind of tiling has got to be put down. You will be jsentenced to Ibroc months imprisonment.” Accused was also ordered lo pay witnesses' expenses, 20/-, in default 7 days..

“WITHOUT LAWFUL EXCUSE." Michael Curran was charged at the Police Court yesterday with being a roguo and a vagabond, in that he was found by night in a shod in Wood street, without lawful excuse. Accused was remanded midi (his morning.