Courtroom Stir

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 74, 14 April 1937, Page 5

Courtroom Stir

HANNAH FINED . Magistrate Terms Conduct "Disgraceful" "IN NAME OF KING ..." More restraint was shown in the manner of Joseph Hannah, when he appeared in the Hastings Police Court to-day as a sequel to his conduct in the same Court last week, when two coustables had to be called to eject him,. Following his appearance last week, his Worship, Mr J. Miller, deferred until wriK week his consideration of what action he should take in regard to Hannah. To-day his Worship, after reviewing Hannah's conduct and p^inting out the seriousness of his actions, flned him £2, and censured him for what he termed "disgraceful conduct." Prior to the commencement of the police cases Joseph Hannah was called before his [Worship, wno said that, following his conduct last Court day, he had been given an opportunity of apologising for his behaviour, but had not done so. "I adjourned the Court after giving you the opportunity so .that I could make up my mind as to what to do with you," said Mr Miller. "You seem fco thiuk that "you are denied justiee iu this Court and made a statement to that effect to me, but I pointed out to you that even if you did t'eel that way, there was no reason for you to behave in the manner you di,d." Hannah: Excuse me. What was 1 4 » • • The Magistrate: You have been given your opportunity to apologise and to deny your etatements. Mr Miller went on to say that he had taken the opportunity since last Court day to ftave a perusal' of the cases in which Hannah had been concerned. "I find that in every case you have been successfulfl" said Mr Miller. "In the case Hannah v. Bogers, and later in the ;case Hannah v. Seymour, I have taken your word as v against those of the othere, and in another case I have had the matter reopened and have allowed you to appear, "There is no reason for your conduct under these circumstances," said his Worship. "It can hardly be said that you have been treated unfairly or unjustly. I understand that you have guffered very severely from war injuries and that probably may account in scme measure for your disgraceful

behaviour, Did Not Take Opportunity. "You are a man of ability and I thought at the time that when you had calmed down you would apologise, ' ' continued Mr. Miller. "You had the opportunity afterwards and did not take it. I do not wish to sentence you to imprisonment, but I cannot overlook your disgraceful • conduct. You will be fined £2 and be allowed two weeks to pay, in default two days' imprisonment. Hannah proceeded to address the Court, but his • Worship immediately told him to stop, as he had been given his opportunity. As Hannah moved to the back of the Court he turned and said: "By the way, your Worship, am I to be allowed to make an explanation?" His Worship: No. You've been given your opportunity. ' The Court then proceeded with the next business on the list. When. the case of Paul Hannah v. Mansoor Hannah, which was adjourned from last week, was called, the Clerk of the Court, Mr W. M. Will, indicated that the maintenance officer, Mr J. R. Esson, would appear for the defendant. "I don't want Mr Esson to appear y" said the defendant Hannah, beside whom was standing his son Joseph. Joseph Hannah supported his father, and said that his father wished him to appear. "I've had experience before with your son Joe," said his Worship. "He's not a fit and pr-oper person t'o appear.'' To Joseph Hannah, he said, "You can't control your temper." "Walking Out " "If Mr Esson appears, my father is walking out," said Joseph Hannah. "You can please yourself," retorted the Magistrate, who pointed out that, under the Destitute Pei'sons' Act, he did not have power to allow Hannah to appear. His father must be represented by counsel or the Maintenance Officer. "Then you won't let me plead for him?" asked Hannah. "You have no power to appear," pointed out Mr Miller. "Come on, Dad," said Hannah, as he led his father to the back of the Court, where he listenecl to the proceedings. The case then proceeded, and, after hearing the evidence of Paul Hannah, for whom Mr E. J. W. Hallett appeared, the Magistrate made an order reducing the amount of maintenance to be paid by plaintiff to Hannah, gnr., to 2/0 a week. At' the conclusion of this case, there was a further stir at the back of the Court, and Joseph Hannah, from the gallery, called out, "In the name of the King "Silence," called Constable Bradley, as he came over to Hannah. "In the name of the King I wish to make an appeal for the protection of the Court," Hannah called again. "I'm not dealing with you now," said his Worship." "But your Worship," persisted Hannah, "the dignity of this Court is worth more than £2, and I wish to make a personal apology." The Magistrate then infcimated that lie would give Hannah this opportunity at a later stage in th© proceecjiHgs. . » , * > j._*