A COMEDY IN COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 105, 24 June 1911, Page 7

A COMEDY IN COURT.

To I>c a deaf and dumb .Maori, and (5*2 years or ago, ought certainly to he sufficient hardship to contend with, but when, in addition to this, one is charged with having been drunk, and is put to the difficult task of explaining to a Court' that he only took a little liquor for the benefit of his 1 health, one ought I'ertainly be excused for reaching tluf: highest pinnacle ‘of despair, says the Auckland “Star.” This was the position an old Maori found himself in on Saturday morning, and

his liking for waipiro has led him once before into the same a.wkward condition. The Police ' Court" - officers wore in a. quandary, ’but try means of pantomime conveyed an impression ol the charge to the old reprobate in the dock, who was treating the whole matter as a huge joke put on for,the special edification, of himself. Finally, in refutation of the charge, he placed two lingers Ijofore his inonth, signifying two drinks. Tire result, of these two drinks seems to have had dire results on his constitution, as by a convulsive effort lie endeavoured to throw off the influence that was slowly creeping over him. ’ It was at this stage that a constable appeared on the scene, and accused was taken to places less miMic. To bo on the right side, bis Worship convicted the Maori of the charge, and dismissed him, and the handicapped one left with expressions of good feeling towards the guardians of the law.