“Roscow on Evidence.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5022, 1 June 1889, Page 3

“Roscow on Evidence.”

A WEST COAST EPISODE. In the early days the following incident occurred Mr Inspector Broham was conducting some charge which bad been preferred by the police against a prisoner, when requiring a legal work to assist him he turned round to one of the constables and desired him to go for* 1 Boscoe on Evidence.’ The constable not hearing the precise words made use of, took it to mean that a Mr Boscow was required in Court to give evidence. There happening to be only one Boscow in Hokitika, who was the proprietor of the Manchester Hotel, the constable hastened out of Court and making up Hamilton street with all speed, he soon reached the establishment and inquired for the landlord. ’ls it Mr Boscow you want ? ’ asked the barman. ‘Yes, certainly,’ was the answer, ‘he is wanted to give evidence at the Police Court; where is he?’ ‘You will find him at the barbers across the street being shaved,’ said the barman. The policeman ran over and found Mr Boscow little more tharjhalf shaved. ‘You are wanted at once Mr Boscow, at the Police Court, lam sorry I can’t wait till you are finished 5 you are to come at once.’ The jolly host naturally wished to know who wanted him, and what ho was wanted for. ‘Don’t know anything abopt it, said the constable ; * all I was told was to bring Boscow at once; and you must go without waiting any longer, shaved or unshaved.’ In obedience to the stern commandments of the law, Mr Boscow only shaved in part, and the lather still clinging like a fringe of hoarfrost along the edges of his whiskers, accompanied the policeman,- and soon reached the Court, Upon putting in an appearance Mr Broham smartly demanded of the constable if he had found Boscow ? ‘Yes sir, here he is,’ replied the man, producing the landlord of the Manchester Arms. Mr Broham saw the mistake pt opce; 90 did the magistrate,* so did all