GAOL A DECENT PLACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16919, 19 December 1922, Page 7

GAOL A DECENT PLACE.

“ REGULAR CUSTOMER’S ” OPINION. The optimism of .Tames Hallam, self styled " the regular customer,” received a setback at the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr H. V. Widdowson, S.M. Hallam was inclined to he as talkative ns is his wont, but Ihe Court was not inclined to listen to his “ bon mots ’’ unprotestingly as usual. At one stage a hint of possible imprisonment was thrown out, but I!alia m quite satisfied himself that “ stone walls do not a prison make.” and toll tlic Court as much. Hallam was in the Court to explain v by he had not paid maintenance during October and November for the suj>port of his son. The case hail been adjourned from last, week in order to get the evidence of Hallam’s employer as tt) the amount of his earnings. •John George Yager, hoot manufacturer. the employer, said that Hallam was an expert workman, and from nowon lie could have regular employment at the rate of £4 6s B<l a week’. Hallam then gave evidence. The -Magistrate: Why haven’t you paid money in during October and November?— Well, this is the first decent job I’ve had for eighteen months, and 1 could see Christmas sticking out st I thought 1 would save up a few ‘ beans ” and keep quiet over tin* New ear. \on sec. I done thi- for a purpose. Last year 1 had a lot of debts end 1 walked about without a single bean” in my pocket at Christmas •■-O I kept quiet this time, hoping to '’art the New oar with a clean sheet. .Mr ( unniugham : Remember. this o:iler i- for your hoy, not your wife. The boy i- only a secondary consideration now . It appears from that wife’s t i ndiot ivenesThe magistrate : You leave your wife alone. Hn I lam (with disgust): Huh! 1 don’t want to touch her. The magistrate: You know that I’m not satisfied with vour conduct, or the attempts you hare made to pay. T don’t, suppose you are. If you don’t do hotter you’ll find yourself away in gaol. F don’t mind. Tolly good place up there. Yes, jolly Mr Cunningham then asked Hallam to explain why he had lost his various positions and the only reply he got was an indignant: “How the devil ? but the question was never fin-i-hod. for the magistrate had frowned at the profanation, and the questioner subsided. The case was adjourned until January 2 3. and the defendant was warned that £6 nr £7 was expected to be paid in by that time. Hallam was expressing thanks in his inimitable way. when a man in the back of the court came forward and said lie was the defendant’s brother just returned from the North Island. Look, your Worship.” he said. “ I know his whole trouble, and T’ve come down to pull him together.” Mr C unningham : I hope you can keep him together. The reformer and his charge then