“AN OLD BIRD”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10302, 11 January 1927, Page 2

“AN OLD BIRD”

MAGISTRATE UNIMPRESSED MuTii “KELiGIOuS BUSINESS,”

‘•JOHN THE BAPTIST” GETS j xI REE MONTHS' ilAlUu.

NAPIER, Jan. 10. At 'the Napier Police Court this morning, be.ore Mr. Dyer, S.M., Jotm Beeson, cl, uas charged with being an idle and disorderly person. Accused pleaded not guilty. Constable O’Halloran (Waipawa) stated that he mad recmveu complaints that a- man was on ill. M. Campbells property at Uouiui iva. The man said he was “John the Baptist, and was there to do the work of tne Coid in getting water lor sheep.” Hotel-keepers, the constable said, had been pestered by hfln. Senior-Sergeant Powell said accused was in gaol f. l?r h ivoek anil appeared to be well.mentally . Accused said lie was not ordered off the station. He had had visions of God and was told to publish them. He was told to go forth to Hawke’s Bay and do work there in feeding sheep. He succeeded in breaking up the drought, tie asked for rain at Otane and it came, and the same thing happened at Hastings. His Worship : I think you are putting this ud oil me.—No sir. , I'stand by the Bible. I have failed to get a job although I have tried. • His Worship: I’ll find work fo* % you. I. think the religious business is for* the purpose of escaping punishment. You are “an old bird. b.ou will Vic given three months’ hard labor. There is good solid work for you to do.—P.A.