Ineffectual Plea for Leniency At H. M. Police Court on Thursday, before Mr. G. W. King, Magistrate, William Burns, clerk of works, who gave an address in Chengtu Road, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Broadway on Wednesday afternoon; also with being in possession of a loaded firearm and being without a license for the weapon, contrary to regulations.
Chief Inspector Bourke, who appeared for the police, told the Court that at about 5.30 on the previous day Burns went into a compradore's shop on Broadway, for no particular reason, it seemed. He was asked to leave, not having any business to do, Some discuscussion ensued about the price of soap, and Burns then assaulted one of the shop assistants. A second assistant who went to the rescue was badly hit. When a third assistant appeared, Burns produced a revolver and pointed it at him. "Don't shoot," the assistant cried to which Burns replied: "No, I won't shoot you, but I will shoot the others." The shop people took shelter in an inside office while the police were being called for. When accused was arrested, it was found that the revolver he carried was fully loaded in five chambers, and that he had five rounds in another pocket, Evidence bearing on the Inspector's statement was given by a Chinese accountant and two shop assistants, and the police, The first Chinese P.C. who entered the shop saw Burns leaning. against the counter holding the revolver in his hand. The constable discreetly retired, and got the assistance of three others in arresting accused, who was drunk. remembered very little about it.
Bata told the Court that he His Worship—That excuse getting rather threadbare.
Burns added that he had been working at Nanking, where he cartied the revolver for protection, and only came down to Shanghai to purchase some clothes. Ho pleaded for leniency.
His Worship—Do you realize that if you had pulled the trigger you might have been charged with murder now?
Accused: Yes. But I hope you will be lenient.
His Worship—I am sorry, but I don't see how I can let you off.
Accused—Not with a fine?
His Worship—No. We have had too much of this sort of thing.
Acoused—I li you might stretch a point this time!
His Worship—No. If I am lenient now, what have I got to say to the next man?
Accused—It means a great deal to_me.
His Worship—It means a great deal to the Chinese also.
Accused—If you send me to Prison now it will spoil the remainder of my life. I have never
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.