A COURT INCIDENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9568, 26 January 1917, Page 7

A COURT INCIDENT

VOLUBLE WOMAN DEFENDANT. The usual serenity of the Petone Magistrate’s Court yesterday was broken by a woman whose accent betrayed that she hailed from the "Emerald Isle." She was present to defend a charge of being found on licensed premises during the currency of a -prohibition, order that was. Out against her. Until her case was called she sat at the solicitor’s table showing signs of impatience. Immediately her name (Helen Dalton) was mentioned by the clerk of the court, she bounced off the chair, approached the bench from where justice is dispensed, and with head erect addressed the magistrate in a delicious brogue, but at so rapid a rate that it was impossible to follow her. "Calm yourself," said the magistrate, “you will not improve your case by getting excited- Listen to the evidence of the constable and you may then ask him questions." The woman controlled herself to some extent, and the constable briefly stated that he saw the accused enter a hotel. During the evidence the,defendant continually interrupted in 'an indignant manner and was mildly rebuked by the Bench.

“DO you say that you saw me enter the hotel?" she asked of the witness, and being answered in the affirmative replied with vehemence: "God forgive you; you are wicked.” Defendant, upon being informed that she was not there to question the character of the constable, drew herself up to her full height, and turning to His Worship said; "X am sorrv to bring you out here, but it is a blackmailing affair and 1 want you to ponder on it.”

Entering the witness-box accused, explained that she expected to meet a friend, and becoming impatient walked across the street to the hotel door, but did uot enter the building. The constable, she stated, was at one end of the hotel while witness was at the other. The constable did not see her because she was not there. He then came repaid the building and said: "I have caught you.” The sergeant of police: "Where were you when the constaeie said r I have caught you?’" Turning on the sergeant with a disdainful look in her eye and a curl on her lip. the woman repeated the question, and answered: "I was nowhere. You were not there and know nothing about it." This accomplished, she promptly turned her back on her interrogator, and had nothing further to say. "You are convicted and fined 10s, with costs 75,” said His Worship. The woman, who was well dressed, murmured her thanks as she dived her hand into a bag and produced several 10s notes, and appeared desirous of handing over the money to the Bench. A constable offered to receive the amount of her fine, but \ the woman, declining to have anything to do with him, closed her hag with a snap and marched out of court.