RECALCITRANT DEBTOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 133, 22 February 1918, Page 4

RECALCITRANT DEBTOR

DEMANDS HIS EXPENSES. An unusual incident occurred in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. W. G. lliddell, S.M., when tho case of Michael O'Connor v. Joseph Angus was called. The claim was for £6 18s. 6d., and Angus when in tho witness box was questioned by Mr. A. Dunne, counsel for the plaintiff. What is your name? "Private- Joseph Angus, if you want to know," replied the debtor. Counsel: To what branch of the service do you belong? Debtor (in an irritated tone):' Privato Joseph Angus, M.C. You can see it on my arm. I belong to the ambulance. , ■ Are you a home service man?—"l can't tell you." Are vou a married man?—"l am uot." Have you any dependants?—' Yes, lots." , , At this stage Private Joseph Angus, M.C., declined to answer further questions, and said to examining counsel, "Before I answer any more questions you must pay me £3—my expenses to come down here." Counsel proceeded to ask further questions, but Angus persistently and loudly declined to answer. His- Worship then spoke sharply to the man and ordered him to answer the questions , Answering the Magistrate, Angus said he would not do so unless he was Paid £3 - , , ~' t Counsel intimated that tho debtor had been paid conduct money, which Angus denied. . His Worship then ordered the Clerk of the Court to remove the man and take him into custody. Eventually the further hearing of the case was adjourned to'the afternoon, and on the case being called then Private Joseph Angus, M.C, failed to respond. In his absence an order was made by default to pay 10s. a fortnight in reduction of the-debt.