A BRIGHT WITNESS.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 127, 26 July 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

A BRIGHT WITNESS.

In a case tried at Darlinghurst, on Tuesday, in ■which the prisoner was indicted for a capital offence, on the principal witness entering the box, the prisoner requested his Honor to question him as to his knowledge of the nature of an oath. The witness — a raw Irish lad, of idiotic expression of countenance, and evidently of undeveloped intellect — gave the followiug replies, hesitating long between each, as though unable to understand the simplest question : — His Honor — How old are you ? Witness — Don't know. His Honor — Where are your parents ? Witness — Don't know. His Honor — Where were you born ? Witness — At home. His Honor — Where was that ? Witness — Don't know. His HonorWas it in Ireland or England ? Witness — England. His Honor — Can you read? Witness — No. His Honor — Can you write? Witness — No. His Honor — Do you say your prayers ? Witness — No. His Honor — Did you ever hear of the Lord's prayer ? Witness — No. His Honor — You are a prisoner? Witness — Yes. His Honor — What are you in jail for ? Witness — Stealing spoons. His Honor — -Where were you tried? Witness — '• Here. His Honor — In this room ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — What judge tried you ? Witness — Chief. (Roars of Knightc, in which his Honor joined.) Mr Isaacs — Was it not Judge Cheeke you mean ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — Have you ever heard of a place called Heaven ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — Do you believe that some people go to Heaven after death ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — Do bad or good people go to Heaven ? Witness — Bad people. His Honor — Did you ever hear of another place besides Heaven, where some people go to after death ? Witness — No. His Honor — Did you ever hear of hell ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — Do good or bad people go to hell? Witness — Good people ! His Honor — Do you know that there is a Supreme Being vt ho made us all ? Witness — Don't know. His Honor — Did you ever hear of God ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — And that made you and will punish you after death when you die, if you tell lies ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — Do you believe there is a God ? Witness — Yes. His Honor — Do you know where God is supposed to reside — to live in? Witness — Yes His Honor — Where? Witness (hesitating) — Par . Juryman (prompting) — Para . Witness (eagerly and grinning triumphantly) — Paramatta. The prisoner was, of course, acquitted. — Bell's Life in Sydney.