A Policeman’s Unhappy Lot.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 261, 16 February 1889, Page 3

A Policeman’s Unhappy Lot.

Al the Police Court yesterday morning Alfred Weston pleaded not guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly on Thursday night. Constable Dunn deposed that be was on duty on Thursday evening and shortly after midnight he saw the prisoner coming out of the British Empire Hotel, leading a horse. Weston made his way as far as the Gladstone Road, when he commenced his usual capers, such as running round and round the road, at the same time yelling out like a madman. Witness told him to stop and go home, but he (prisoner) replied, “ Mind your own business.” When the prisoner was asked by the bench whether he had any questions to ask the witness he said it was no good saying anything at all, as he was not drunk and that Constable Dunn had made misstatements, and told people that he would arrest him if he saw him (prisoner) on the road. Constable Riddell remembered seeing the prisoner at the station. Weston did not appear to be drunk, but he was suffering from the effects of drink. Witness would never interfere with the prisoner unless be was causing a disturbance.! L. Humphries, night watchman, was then called by the prisoner and stated that he saw Constable Dunn make the arrest. The prisoner appeared to be in a very excited state, but he could not call him drunk, as that was a very difficult'thing to say. Weston was not acting like a rational man—he was very noisy.

In reply to the prisoner the witness said he appeared to be sober when handing him (witness) the horse to take charge of.. Sergeant Bullen then read the clause in the Police Offences Act under which the prisoner had been arrested, and in doing so he said that Weston kept up his antics night after night, and he did not see bow there could not be any law to touch him. The medical men said that the prisoner was not mad, and when brought up Weston said he was not drunk. The Bench then asked Weston whether he had anything to say, The prisoner ; Well I cannot give you my brains for nothing. Mr Booth threatened to commit the prisoner for contempt of Court if he persisted in addressing the Bench in that man ner. Prisoner said he never got into any danger, and did not interfere with anyone. Mr Booth ; You are charged with bellowing out in the middle of the night when all respectable people should be in bed. The prisoner : It is very seldom that any person can say that I am excited. Mr Booth said he did not know what the prisoner called it. He did not think Weston was in the least ashamed of his conduct, but appeared to brazen it out. It was the duty of the police to keep order, and if other people were allowed to go roaring about the streets at all hours of the night there would hot be much peace maintained. When prisoner was Isst brought up he was told he would be severely dealt with on his next offence. Prisoner: I was not noisy. Mr Booth did not want to turn prisoner into a desperate man, but he would not allow the remark made against Constable Dunn to pass, as it was quite uncalled for. Had the prisoner gone quietly away the charge would not have been laid against him. Prisoner was about to repeat the remark about Constable Dunn when he was stopped by Mr Booth. Mr Booth said he would give the prisoner another chance, and warned him to keep ' away from the beer, as he could not take a glass without it having a great effect. The prisoner was then discharged.