RING OFF!

NZ Truth, Issue 475, 25 July 1914, Page 5

RING OFF!

Is it a Place for Mugs?

The Palace of Amusement.

Magistrate Frazer Suggests Police Inquiries.

Before Jlr. F. V. Frazcr, S.M., . on Monday,' David Sands, a cripple, was charged with, on the 13th Inst, wilfully breaking: a plate glass window, Uio property ot Albert Dawson. Sub-Inspector Johnston appeared for tho police and Lawyer Lundon for Sands, who pleaded not guilty. Albert Dawson, manager of the "Palace of Amusements," Queen-street, said that Sands limped In on tho 13th to bo amused and bought a bob's worth of rings and sot oft TO RING TWELVE PRIZES tand send the Amusement firm atono broke. Sands did not get the right focus till the third attempt, when ho neatly put the ring over the dock. Sands immediately claimed the clock, [ but Albert, the manager, explained that the ring must cover tho disc on which the clock stood. Sands could not see this aspect at all and said that as ho could not get the clock he would keep the rings, and then hobbled out of tho show, refusing to tako the shilling offered him. Just after Sands got out Albert heard a crash and saw Sands In the window, having entered through tho glass instead of going behind the counter. Sands nppearod as though he had had one or two and a bit of the John Department blew along and took him away. Lawyer Lundon: Did he not walk away?— ' Yes, with a constable. Ho is a bit big to carry. Did ho not complain that HE HAD UEEN TAKEN DOWN ? —Taken down*. No. Did ho not say he had rung tho clock ?— Ho did not ring tho disc fairly. Did you tell him he had to ring tho disc? — No, it Is up on tho wall. Exactly, you don't tell tho mugs. Who la "Walker?— He is tho spruiker. What is his business?— -Ho stands at tho door and announces. Ho Is there to gut people in?— Yes, to got you or anyone else m. ; Ho would have somo difficulty In getting me In. Now, from whom did he purchase tho rings?— From the lady. Mr. Fruwr: Is this place licensed? — Not that I know of. Do you know if it is, Sub-Inspector? No, your Worship. Well, these kind of shows and itnldo

auotions are generally viewed with s6me uttLe suspicion. Unless properly conducted they provide opportunities for pickpockets who take advantago of drunken or halfdrunken men* Lawyer Lundon: What is the clock worth?— About two shillings. Well 'he rang the clock? — Yea, but not the disc. , And immediately claimed the clock, which you refused to givo him? — I did. Did you tell him that ho had to cover the disc before ho threw the ringer? — No. No, of course you didn't. You don't tell the inups till after Oioy havo covered the article. Then you draw their attention to the disc?— Wo can't bo telling overybody. Tho "no'tico ia up on tho'walL . y Willie Walker, the spruikpr, Huid tho first he heard or saw was bawson asking Sands for the rings and offering Sands a shilling back. Sands wiu) throwing his arms about, and seemed to have had a few. Willie asked Sands not to ' MAKE A DISTURBANCE.. when suddenly Sands staggered back and went through the window. Mr. Fraser: Well, that is enough. The witness admits that the man did not wllfullji break the window. By tho way (to Walker), who owns the business? — I .don't know. You don't know? — A man named Shaw pays me." Mr. Prazer: There seems to be a lot of secrecy about the business. Anyway, I hope, Sub-Inspector, you will make some inquiries and find out whether tho business is licensed. It cannot bo said that tho accused wilfully broke the window and the case is dismissed.