“REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, PLEASE ”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9958, 30 April 1918, Page 3

“REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, PLEASE ”

AN INCIDENT AT THE IIAGIS. TRATE’S COURT.

Inspector Marsack looked at the body of the court yesterday morning with a smile. It was crowded with men. Judging from appearances, most of them were workers from the waterfront. A whispered instruction to a. sergeant, which instruction was passed on to a number of constables, and all the preliminaries -were arranged. The magistrate took his seat on the Bench, silence was called, and the business before the court was proceeded with. After a number of cases had been dealt with there was a noise behind the barrier. Silence was called by the court orderly, but the desired effect was not obtained. The 'noise increased, and the magistrate, addressing the crowd, said: “This is not a circus or a concert chamber. You are not,coming here to keep up a .running conversation. You must remember that this is a-court of justice, and you must learn to behave yourselves." The noise stopped, or rather simmered down, to a comparative calm, and the next ease was called. / The cases that the spectators had come to hear were disposed of. and • a movement was made to leave the court. There was a shuffling of feet, words of disapproval and annoyance, and as the hum of conversation rose the magistrate stopped the proceedings. He looked towards the congested portion of the court and said: “I will not allow this noise to continue; you will all bo turned <vt.” Several voices replied at once: “The door is locked; we can't get _ out.” The magistrate at onoe took in the situation and adjourned tho court for twenty minutes.

Constables were stationed at each of the exits and a demand was made for the prodnction of enrolment certificates. A swaying of the crowd soon made itself apparent. Hands were caved into pockets, some returned without the sought for paper, while others were lifted high displaying a piece of parchment. The proceedings were treated ns a huge joke by those who had possession of the paper which acted as a passport to leave the court, but there were others who were not in so fortunate a position. These, to a total of _over fifty, Were detained, and. soon pencils were busy taking down names and addresses. The work was completed in due course, and as an outcome it is probable that more than one person will bo called upon to show cause why ho has not enrolled under the Military Service Act.