A WITNESS IN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2378, 6 February 1915, Page 9

A WITNESS IN TROUBLE

REFUSES TO GIVE EVIDENCE. (By sMegT»pn.—W«w AesoctettooJ Dunedin, February 5. A? the Police Court this morning, William Edward John Maguire was charged with threatening behaviour in Rattray Street on January 5, whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. After thiß case had been heard, the Magistrate instructed the police to la.y an information against Jonathan Alexis O'Brien of using insulting words in a public place with intent to provoke ,a breach of the peace. It was alleged that O'Brien- had been struck by Maguire after the latter had been provoked. Maguire was _ called as the principal witness ito give evidence against O'Brien, but declined to do so, and after numerous opportunities had been givdn him by the Magistrate to reconsider his'decision, was finally committed to prison for seven days for contempt of Court. In giving his decision in the case against Macuire, the Magistrate said that _ considerable provocation had been civen. and he fined accused 10s., or 24 hours' imprisonment. The origin of the trouble was a discussion over Bible in schools, Maguire being a Social Democrat and a candidate for Dunedin West at the general election. Later. A fresh development occurred in the afternoon. O'firien pleaded guilty, and was fined £2, in default one week's imprisonment. The Magistrate sent for Maguire and informed him that as O'Brien had pleaded guilty the riecessfty for detention had disappeared and. the warrant for commitment was cancelled, but. Majniire was warned that defiance of the Court oould not be tolerated. He was allowed seven days to pay the fine imposed in the morning.