MUST KEEP HIS PROMISE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12705, 7 March 1912, Page 5

MUST KEEP HIS PROMISE.

When a man named John Lardner, a laborer, appeared m the Police Court this morning to answer a charge that by excessive drinking he greatly injured his health, he approached the presiding' justice, Messrs W. Pettie and H. E. Hill/ with a gracious bow, and said he object-' ed to^a prohibition order being made against him.

John Palmer, who applied for the order, said for the last two months ther£ had not been a day on which, defendant was sober. He had called at witness*, place at all houts m the morning. Last?j Wednesday, night defendant had to h&\ carried home. Witness had cautioned' him a month ago that he would take a*A order against him unless he pulled him- 1 self together.

"Have you any questions to ask the witness?" enquired the Bench. jj < Defendant: Yes, your Worships. Loos here, Jack, you are a friend of mine*?. I promise you I will be good m the 1 future. >* Mr Pettie: Have you any questions t& x ask ? " '

- Defendant: He w speaking the truth, your Worships, I have had 12 months m Eurgatory before; don't make an order, ook here, Jack (turning to the withesß'"*witha beseeching look}, I wilt ask yoii % a question this way : I promise you I will never Jet it occur again. (To the Bench) : T have been m purgatory, ahd I get my living by working at the hotels.

Mr Pettie remarked that,the order was beirije-* applied for m defendant's own interest;," and to protect him. "Peffebdant,: I will protect myself. This has 1 been a lesson to me.

Mr. Pettie; The Bench is quite satisfied an order should be made.

"Oil, dont" say that,- your Worship," said defepdant m a pleading tone' The Bench remarked that it would be better for* deft.n_ar|t, and it, would give him a ch&tfce of 'leaving: off the drink. Defendant,; Do iy cvi think that is fair? Mr' Pettie: We won't discuss the mattei\; ■biiit we simply make art order. D,ei6hd_bt: Bqt I have *y*/ork to _o tb at >p. hotel-. The Bench: That will do, an order is ma'cfev" . r-j #jf_ Qk.rk then proceeded to explain to tM: d "ifendaii*|. 1 wh i at ) *t.h(j order meant, and {■^^frOm *h ft t '*»*»- ho must not enter' llOepseil K^p*cenjifies or procure liquor m any|o*ther.-.way. '..*'■ ...Defendant: "But the summons is not B6i*y^d;.yißt:' J-SP^rk'That does not matter; the order "starts from now. ■%^4*aferidant retired from the Court mtimfcling something about "was it •fairfv"*/ ". '.<_._'■ r -.. '<*»' ■ • *- ' ' ~ " *■ * -»