A QUARRELSOME INEBRIATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19849, 19 January 1920, Page 4

A QUARRELSOME INEBRIATE.

SENT TO ROTO ROA FOR A

YEAR,

SEQUEL TO FAMILY ROWS.

I lie sequel to a series of disturbances which have recently occurred at a house H 1 pu’fdale Place, a lane running off balisbnry Street, was heard in the Magistrate s Court this morning, when •John Holland, aged thirty-six, appeared on remand, charged with drunkenness. Accused .stilled that he had sent a letter lo the .Magistrate from the prison, asking for permission to get a J.uvjer, but the letter had not been sent.

Sergeant King said that one of the witnesses wished lo leave lor Palmerston North, and he was prepared to tro on with the case.

Iho Magistrate (to accused): Do vou want a. remand till Thursday? Accused: 1 want to know what Pm cnarged with first.

1 lie clerk then lormallv charged the accused with drunkenness in Airedale Place.

The Magistrate: Then there’s the question of committal to Roto Ron. (io accused): You can be remanded if you like.

Accused; Ini quite prepared to go ou with the case. 1 will plead to tlie charge of drunkenness. Anne Parker, an elderly woman, residing at Airedale Place, said that the accused was her nephew, and frequently visited her house; but always in a drunken condition. This had been • going on lor nearly two months before be was recently committed to gaol for obscene language. dbo Magistrate: W hat does he do when bo conics to the bouse? \\ itnoss: Eating and drinking. The Magistrate: Anything else? M itnoss stated that accused had frequently assaulted her and had threatened to kill her.

Sergeant King: What's he like when be is sober?

Witness: As quiet as a mouse. You wouldn t know be was there.

A brief passage of arms ensued between the witness and accused, the latter stoutly denying all the accusations made against his character. Herbert George White, cousin of tho Accused, stated that he had been staying with .Mrs Parker for a week, during which time he had visited the house on three oecasons. The first time accused visited the house ho made the excuse that ho had come for his clothes. On the second occasion lie was drunk and behaved in a disorderly manner, and used obscene language io Mrs Parker. Accused did not know witness was in the house at the time: "Witness afterwards rung up the police. Accused; AVhereabouts was I when the police got me? Witness: Lying on the ground under an eldcrheiTv tree!

Constable Allen staled that on two occasions ho had been called to the house on account of the conduct of the accused. On the first occasion accused had gone before witness arrived, and on the second he, was lying on the ground under an elderberry hush. Constable. Paul stated that during the past week lie had-hen sent to Airedale Place, on several occasions. Witness had received special instructions to watch the house carefully on account of the accused's behaviour. Accused, when'asked if he had any. tiling to say, handed a written statement to the Magistrate. After reading the statement the Magistrate said that accused admitted chat he might he committed to Poto Ron, hut wanted a chance of reformation.

'Sergeant King then handed up to ilin Magistrate accused’s record of previous convictions.

Addressing the accused, the Mngisirate said that be had a long record of previous criminal convictions. lie had had many chances of reformation, hut he had not taken advantage of them.

Accused : Tf you give me this chance I will get out of the town and keep straight. r flie Magistrate: You have had several chances before. This time you will he committed to Roto Ron for twelve months.