TO BE RID OF THE BAILIFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15308, 22 May 1913, Page 8

TO BE RID OF THE BAILIFF

WOMAN GILDS SILVER COINS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. A bailiff, a landlord, and a distressed tenant were involved in a domestic drama which was unfolded in the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M. ' Mary Brady, a young married woman, was charged with having uttered six counterfeit shillings and one counterfeit sixpenny-piece to Robert Corkhill.

According to the story disclosed in Court, Mrs. Brady, who was the occupant of 82, Kent Terrace, fell in arrears with her rent, and the landlord (John Esau Miles) instructed a bailiff (Robert Corkhill) to distrain on her furniture. Miles accompanied the bailiff to the house, one entering by the front door and the other by the back. At the back .door the landlord encountered opposition in the shape of a broomstick wielded by the lady of the house. He effected an entrance, however, and joined Corkhill in the diningroom. The two Btayed there from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., Miles being away for short intervals. At four o'clock Mrs. Brady (who went out in the afternoon) returned, showed Mr. Miles some pawntickets, and said that she could now get rid of him. >■*' , „ <• •■ ..:•-.,.w ■ "Then," iii the words of her counsel (Mr. T. M. Wilford), " from the back of her brain came this strange and unique idea. She purchased a bottle of coldpaint, painted her few remaining shillings cold, arid paid them over as sovereigns." Miles, deceived by the colour of the coins, accepted them as, sovereigns, and subsequently, on leaving the house, together with the bailiff, discovered that he had been tricked. * ' J ".-.

The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. His Worship remarking that the question of mitigation should be laid before the Judge. Bail was allowed in her own recognisances.