MEN PAINTED LIKE CLOWNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15142, 5 November 1912, Page 8

MEN PAINTED LIKE CLOWNS.

CRUEL PRACTICAL JOKE. [from otte own correspondent.] Sydney. October 30. /An* extraordinary case was brought under 'the notice of a magistrate at the Central Police Court in Sydney yesterday, in which it was shown that a dastardly joke had been played upon two men named Henry Lowa and Thomas Drew. The men were found lying prostrate on the roadway in a semi-conscious state, with their clothes

disarranged. Their faces had been painted in various colours —liko the faces of clowns. They were taken to the police station, and a charge of improper behaviour made against them.

For the defence, Lowe stated that, ho was a university coach, and a musician and ■artist. Ho remembered that he had been asked by some young men to go with them to try a piano, and ho was taken into an hotel. Afterwards ho got into a vehicle, and he remembered no mote. Ho believed he had a drink at the hotel, and had been drugged. Drew said ho was an upholsterer. lie did not remember getting into any vehicle, nor how he got to the place where he was found. He remembered joining some men in a drink, and a piano being played. They had a, drink, and that was all he. knew. • ' '■ The magistrate wiid ho had no doubt tluit the two men had been the vc-itims of a cruel practical joke, which had been perpetrated upon them by some persons who were, at present unknown. He-'therefore discharged them.