Tribulations of A Tom-cat

NZ Truth, Issue 1286, 31 July 1930, Page 2

Tribulations of A Tom-cat

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special THIS is the tale of a cat, of a common, back fence variety tom-cat, which howled mournfully m neighbors' backyards and was wont to return home bearing signs of battle, but of a cat, nevertheless, which was snuggled deep m his master's affections. The crying of Alfred Tarns's cat m a neighbor's yard one night aroused m its owner's breast only fine emotions, and not that powerful urge to slay, which so often inspires the victims of feline cacophony. He felt pity for his poor pet, but, it is true, he also felt warlike — .but this was towards his neighbors. He thought that they, or a dog belonging to one of them had been torturing his "Micky" so he set about protecting him. His idea of protection was a barrage of stones and pieces of brick indiscriminately heaved over the dividing fence. As one of • these missiles went through his neighbor's window, and hit an elderly man on the leg there was trouble m store for "Micky's" master. He was brought before the Christchurch Magistrate's Court and charged with doing wilful damage. Then the story of "Micky's" meander ings was told. •

Christchurcli Representative.) The magistrate, Mr. E. D. Mosley, told the fond owner, Alfred Tarns, that he should not have thrown the stones and bricks over the fence, but Tarns wanted to know what a man was to do m such a case. He had to protect himself. The Magistrate: Will you promise not to do it again? — If they will not annoy me. Tarns, however, agreed not to take the law into his own hands m future when he thought that his cat was being molested. He would inform a constable, he said. The magistrate advised him to make sure that the cat was being annoyed before he made any complaint. "Cats often cry, you know," he said. It was stated by a constable who knew Tarns that the man was of a quiet nature. He had been shell - shocked at the war. and this evidently had an effect on him. He was out of work and was m very poor circumstances. On the understanding that he would not repeat his offence he was convicted and discharged. "We'll arrange for the payment of the window," he said.