A CONTUMACIOUS CUSS.

NZ Truth, Issue 123, 26 October 1907, Page 6

A CONTUMACIOUS CUSS.

Everybody Tired of " Mr. Johnsitog." ■A 1 contumacious cuss named Alfred 'A. 'Johnson resides m Christchurch, and hits iron for a trade. The law hit him the other week, and he deserves it. The gentleman is a blacksmith, and there is a maintenance order out against him ; but he doesn't pay up until summoned. Then he parts with great reluctance. But after all it would seem to be pure spite on his part to put the woman .to all the trouble he can. On the day the case is set down for hearing he drops along to the Court, and pays the arrears. So the case isn't heard. •The money is accepted, and that's all that is heard about it. But Lawyer •Leatham, who has been appearing for the woman all along, got sick of the business, and told the bench so. The l^ench agreed that.it was sick' also, and that the Court clerks were ill of writing Johnston's, name m the book of justice, averring that he had paid so often at the last moment that the entries of the name of Johnsing, or Johnston, or whatever it is, filled a page, and FLOODED THE COURT-ROOM, and slopped over on to the footpath outside, and raced down the Avon River at a great rate. On Tuesday Mr Leatham discovered that the money due on two informations had been paid, and he told the Court that he was tired, and the S.M., Mr Bishop, said that he was very tired, too, and he, after consulting the Ninth Hour Act, or the Powder Magazines' Act, or som/ething sof that sort, fined Alfred Johnston, blacksmith and an-vil-smith, five bob for getting on the legal'train at the last moment. By inflicting that fine, he was able-un-der the Late Hour Statoot to award Lawyer Leatham a guinea on each of the two informations. The Destitute Persons' Act is a peculiar Act, and it's' seldom costs hit it ; now it has hit 'Johnston on his pocket, and he isn't likely to be so dilatory or contumacious m future.