THE SEAMY SIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17224, 6 October 1927, Page 5

THE SEAMY SIDE.

TAI.ES to magistrate " JUST LOOK AT THEIH ! M By R. E. Corder, in London Daily Matt, Old Street Police Court was its old, pre-war self again the other day, says a London paper. In these days of dearer beer and more disciplined thirsts the average number of "drunks" to be seen in any metropolitan court is perhaps three. The week-end "crop" garnered at Old Street totalled 30.

"Just look at them!" almost proudly whispered the gaoler as he showed the charge-sheet. "I'll tell you what," he added suspiciously, "I really believe some of them have preferred coming here to going to Hampstead Heath. Another sort of merry-go-round for 'em!" And with a sweep of his hand he indicated the door leading from the cells, the dock, and the entrance to the department where the lines are gathered. Most of the. women among the 30 talked vaguely about "the holiday spirit," without mentioning any other kind.

Chrissie repeated "holiday spirit" several times very drearily. "You know, sir," she added, "when I was nere last time I took your warning — : and I wouldn't be here now if it haVln't been holiday time. It was the first drop I'd had for twelve months." "Very well," said the magistrate, "you can pay 10s this time. Next time it will be forty."

' 'Then I hope there won't be another lime," Chrissie observed devoutly, a* she disappeared.

The "holiday spirit" was presumably responsible also for the particularly varied display of black eyes and bandaged heads organised by the applicants, who trailed up to the magistrate in a long funeral.

Sitting, when his work was done, like old Jaspar, at his cottage door in, Bethnal Creen, Old Jim, the night- \ watchman, was talking merrily to his grand-children, when he was interrupted by a blow which not only knocked him out of his chair, but almost knocked out his right eye. Looking round —so far as he was able—to discover his assailant, he received another blow, which nearly broke his nose. "It was that there gentleman that I did it." he said, pointing to a young man, his next-door neighbour, standing in the dock. Old Jim's wife arrived at the court, out of breath and in a state of great indignation, and with a parcel in her hands which she began to open. "Wait a minute, sir," she panted, "I'll show you what " "What on earth is it?" the magistrate demanded. "What is it, sir? Why, it's ray new blouse, which cost a guinea, and I was wearing it for the first time, and now it's all smothered with my poor husband's blood, which got on it when ] picked him up, sir, and " But Mr Clark Hall preferred to takt her word for it, and the "exhibit" was not produced. As the young neighbour swore that f mistake had been made, and half t dozen witnesses each told a differen story, he was put back until mon police evidence could be obtained. ■