INDIFFERENT PRISONER

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11660, 26 October 1923, Page 4

INDIFFERENT PRISONER

NO SUPPORT FOR WIFE. THE MAGISTRATE INTERVENES. • The fact that he was called upon to support his wife appeared in no way tc have a visible effect upon an elderly man, William Frederick Brittain, who leaned conliduntiallv over the dock at the Police Court yesterday, and indifferently shaped his replies to the questions placed to him by the magistrate, Mr E Page, S.M. The defendant offered no assistance to Sub-Inspector Cummings, when this latter raised the question as to payment. His Worship took the matter in hand. “What tan you pay?" he asked the defendant. “Well, I can't really tell until I see what position I’m in,” was the uninformative answer. His Worship: What do yon do for a living ?—Oh ! anything, anything I can get hold of. Mr Levi, for the wife, declared that tho defendant was a certified drainlayer, and a good workman. His Worship: What do you earn?— About 14s a day when tho weather is fineThe outcome of the cross-examination was not welcomed hy the defendant. A sentence of two months' imprisonment was imposed, the wrarrant to be suspended -°o long as 30s a week is paid. “But what about my statement?” objected Biittain, turning to the magistrate. “Step down,” was all tne sntisfao tion ho received, and accordingly the request was complied with.