Magistrate's Exception to the Word "Britisher"
G. B. Leicester, on remand, appeared before Mr. G. W. King, at the British Police Court on Tuesday afternoon, to answer four charges of obtaining money by false pretences. Mr, Priestwood, who appeared for. accused, asked for bail. Leicester, he said, was not gifted with golden wings and he could not fly away. In any circumstances it was extremely difficult for a European to escape from Shanghai, and he considered that, to facilitate accused. in preparing his defence, a purely nominal bail would meet the ease. Mr. Faithfull objected to anything but a substantial bail and said that if the Court accepted sureties they should be '"Britishers."" The nominal bond of $20 or $50 dollars suggested by counsel for the defence was out of all reason. $2,000 would be more reasonable.
Mr. King, Magistrate, took exception tothe use of' the word "Byitisher" in regard to the sureties. British subjects" was more appropriate. The sureties must be people approved: by the police.
Mr. Faithfull said that accused had a Mercantile Marine Officers' certificate und he asked for heavy all.
Mr. Priestwood pointed out that the police were in possession of all of the papers belonging to accused, including his certificates.
After further argument the Court committed accused for trial, bail being allowed in two sureties of $500 each.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.