The Deputy Magistrate

By Henry Dexter

JONES, A.R.M. of a Government station in the Gulf Division of Papua, had sent for a man who was reported to have given one of his boys a gun, with out being in possession of the necessary permit.

In due course the delinquent arrived at the station. He may be called Smith. The AR.M declared the “Court of Petty Ses sions to be open.’’ Smith pleaded guilty.

Judgment was pronounced by the A.R.M.: “Five pounds, or fourteen days.”

Smith hadn’t a penny, and elected to “take it out.”

He had his meals at the A.R.M. s bun galow, and was instructed by the A.R.M. to Issue rations, and superintend a gang of native prisoners who were doing odd jobs about the station.

Three days later, news came of trouble In the Marfula district. It was essential that the A.R.M. should lose no time in getting inland to attend to it.

H© told Smith to carry on until his re turn, and left with his police and carriers.

Two days later, a man (Robinson) came In. He had been sent for to answer exactly the same charge as in Smith’s case. Smith, with the correct procedure fresh in his memory, told the new arrival that the A.R.M. was away, but had instructed him to carry on.

Smith accordingly held court, and con ducted the case quite correctly. Robinson admitted that he had broken the law, and judgment was given—“Five pounds, or 14 days.”

Robinson did not possess the proverbial bean; so Smith handed over the issuing of rations to him, and the supervision of the prisoners. Smith, as senior prisoner, took charge. He also took his ease.

A few days later, the little steamer under the B.P. flag came along the coast, and Smith decided to call it a day, and left the station, with a feeling that h© had been a very good boy indeed.