"Are You There?"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1914, Page 5

"Are You There?"

STORY OF PRETTY COCKY.

AMUSING MELBOURNE CASE. Melbourne, February 2L Determined and impressed with the justice of her claims, Mary O'Rourke, a spiritualist, appeared at the South (Melbourne Court yesterday to proceed I against Alice Knipe, a married woman, on information alleging that she detained a galah parrot, valued at 3s. Her remarkable statements, combined with occasional interjections by Mr J. Baragwanata, J.P., kept the Court in roars of laughter. After complainSunt had. spoken in support of hei claim for the bird she clasped her hands, and dramatically gazing up to the ceiling, said, "It was a beautiful bird, and i hope you will give it back to me. I know it is mine, God gave it to me."

j Mr Baragwanath: The Lord gave and 'the Lord hath taken away. (Laughter). Complainant. No, Mrs Knipe took it away. (Lond laughter). Mr Baragwanath : How do you recognise it?—Every morning it calls, i( Oh, mamma, are you there?" and every evening it says its prayers with nn We talk to the spirits together. Last night 1 had a talk to the spirits, and they said, "Mrs Knipe had my bird." Mr Baragwanath : 1 am afraid that if defendant was not present wo cannot accept their statement. It is only hearsay evidence. (Laughter). Complainant: Then the spirit was broken; just like losing a rib, and you know what that is.

Mr Baragwanath: Ido not. Do you take me for Adam ? (.Renewed laughter).

Complainant: It always called "Daddy. Dad, will you come home." Mr Baragwanath: Won't you come homo Bill Bailey? (More laughter). John Knipe, husband of defendant, identified the bird by private marks asVa bird brought from New South Wales by his son two months ago.

Mr Baragwanath: Has it any way of expressing itself?—Yes, it says "Pretty cocky; eh, whose bird are you." Mr Baragwanath: The bird seems to have some doubt about the matter itself. (Laughter). When it was explained to Mrs O'Rourke that Knipe had clearly identified the bird that lady tearfully exclaimed: "Well, what am I to do? I suppose I'll have to die; I cannot live without my cocky." Mr Baragwanath : I am sure we cannot help you. Complainiant: I have lost my rib. (Laughter). Mr Baragwanath: The case is dismissed.

Complainant: You are very wicked men. (Roars of laughter.)