Intoxicated elephant arrested.
''The staggering elephant.''
The following is a report of a case tried at Ryde court of petty sessions, 1901.
''Statement by a witness PC Cook: While proceeding on duty down Union Street, I observed an elephant behaving in a disorderley manner,
endangering members of the public by violent movements of its trunk and tail. I cautioned the the offender who made no reply but produced
a certain sound from its rear end. It then attempted to gallop off, but I noted it was unsteady in its movements.''
''When it reached the Marine Hotel, it fell over. Pursuing my enquires, I examined the elephant which I found was a skin on a framework,
propelled from inside by two men (the defendants) dressed in elephant legs.''
''I arrested them on a charge of beeing drunk in charge of an unsafe device. The defendants pleaded they had been offered intoxicating liquor
by a member of the public and had become detached from the Ryde carnival procession.''
''Found guilty as charged and fined 2 shillings and sixpence with six shillings costs.''
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Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
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