MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 10

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS.

A male .first offender for drunkenness was fined 5/-, with the usual option.

DISGRACEFUL WASTER,

Robert Edgeworth, a statutory first offender for drunkenness, who was also charged with procuring liquor, pleaded guilty. '''•,". n Sub-Inspector MeKinnon explained that-.this was Edgeworth's third breach of the order.

Mr Bishop: Yes. I told him last time he -came before me. that I would send him away. Edgeworth: I was going away to Ashley Gorge on Monday. Mr Bishop: Yes, I daresay you were. You have a very respectable wife and a child, and you show as much consideration for them as you would for a dog. Sub-Inspector MeKinnon: The ehild is only a few weeks old. Mr Bishop: Yes. He's a disgraceful waster. I will declare him a habitual drunkard, and commit him to Roto Roa for twelve months. SENT UP.

Henry McCausland appeared on remand from last week, charged with drunkenness and procuring liquor. Since his last appearance he had undergone medical treatment, but was still very shaky. Mr Bishop explained that he had consulted McCausland's friends, who were of the opinion that the only thing to do was to send him up for such time as would enable the liquor to be got out of his system. He was suffering from an affliction to a certain extent, in that he was stone deaf. McCausland was declared an habitual and committed to Roto Rba for twelve months^ THE ROPE BROKE.

Edwin Thomas Coyne, an elderly persori, who said he was 66 on July 17 last, with a merry twinkle in his eye, appeared on remand, charged with helpless drunkenness in Lincoln road. He admitted the offence;

Sub-Inspector McKinnon explained, that Coyne had been remanded for medical treatment. He had tried to hang himself, but the rope broke. Coyne:. I only dreamed it. I didn't try. Mr Bishop: Well, that's as bad. Are you tired of life? ■ - ' Sub-Inspector McKinnon: He went to the Lunatic Asylum to see if he was sane. . .

Coyne: Well, I went to see if I was sane. I am sane now, thank God. Iwant to take but a prohibition order against myself. I had taken methylated spirits, and it'went to my head, and I dreamt I was hanging myself, sol got up in the morning and took a tramcar and went out to the Asylum to see if I was right in the head. Mr Bishop: Are you going to hang yourself? ..-'-■» Coyne: I'm not tired of life yet, thank God.

Mr Bishop: I suppose he's all right? Sub-Inspector McKinnon: Yes, I think so. He told .us he was a man in good circumstances. Mr Bishop: Naturally, if a man went out to v ask if he was right in his mind they would answer, "No, you're not, or you wouldn't come out here! " Coyne: I won"t touch methylated spirits again. I got it with the name "whjsky" on the bqftle; me'and another chap got it. It turned out methylated spirits. Mr Bishop: Does he want me to believe that he bought abottle of methylated spirits and thought it was whisky! Sub-Inspector McKinnon: There are people who drink methylated spirits. Mr Bishop: But that is only when they get to a certain stage. He wants to be prohibited, so I will issue a prohibition order against him. Coyne: All right, sir.

Mr Bishop: On the charge of drunkenness you are convicted, and discharged, but you must pay the 17/6 for medical expenses.

Coyne: Will you give me time to pay, Sir?

Mr Bishop: Yes, you can have two weeks to pay. Don't go and play the fool again with your dreams. Coyne: No, Sir, I won't. Mr Bishop: You might find out in the morning if you were alive that you had hanged yourself. Coyne: Very well, I won't.