COURTHOUSE COMEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19377, 12 July 1926, Page 10

COURTHOUSE COMEDY.

MISTAKEN FOR AN HOTEL. MAN WHO WANTED BEER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. 'A: tipsy individual who mistook the Wellington Magistrate's ' Courthouse 'for an hotel caused ; some commotion and merriment there a day or-" two ago. He was middle-aged, and apparently very thirsty,' It was perhaps. " unfortunate that there ...was an hotel so close to the .magistrate's courthouse, because the unsteady stranger, well nigh oblivious to all things mundane, was ' confused; as to 4 localities and found himself in the Court buildings. Gingerly he pursued a wobbly course upstairs, where' the magistrate's quarters are situated, paused at the top and inquired: "Where is smoking lounge ?" "Downstairs outside," was the custodian's reply. The stranger retraced his uncertain steps. Wandering into the third clerk's office he edged up to the counter* put his foot on an imaginary brass rail, stumbled, and produced a half crown. "Beer," he demanded, and forced' the coin into the hand of one of the clerks.. Standing by was the sub-inspector of police, and as the thirsty one tried again to put his foot on" to the non-existent rail _he jostled against the officer. "Beer, beer, and where is the barmaid ?" he said. . • ; Then, prompted by the sudden,realisation of his tactical blunder, and hearing the stern voicf of the police officer ordering him about hia business, the man made a bolt for the exit with surprising agility and speed. He was allowed to depart.