Otaki Robbery Case. SOME LIVELY PASSAGES IN COURT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 August 1911, Page 4

Otaki Robbery Case. SOME LIVELY PASSAGES IN COURT.

Frank Cootes, a powerfully-built .Maori of middle age, was charge 1 at tho Supremo Court, Wellington, yesterday that, on May loth, at Otaki, ho assaulted James l'laistod, seventy-six years of age. and robbed hiiu of £8 10s. There was an .alternative count of theft from Unperson. Accused, who was represented by Air T. M. Wilford, pleaded not guilty.

Hester 101 len Bailey, in (lie course of her evidence, stated that she did not interfere when she saw the accused robbing Plaisted, but afterwards helped Plaisted to ln's I'eet. She informed Constable Satherley tho next morning. In reply to Mr AVilford, witness declined to state -how many husbands she had had. ft had nothing to do with the case, and she would nob answer tho question. She would not be called by her iirst hu.sbatul's name. Her name was Mrs Bailev.

His Honor: Don't assume that quarrelsome attitude. Listen and answer the questions. The witness complied and stated who was married to her last husband about seventeen years ago in D-anne-virke. She had been married to her first husband as a girl of sixteen in AVaipawa. Mr AVilford: And you have bad only two husbands?

A\ itness : A cs. What the deuce number of husbands should 1 .have?

Mr AVilford : Are yon the lady that was in the famous Lilly white murder case?

AY itness: I was brought to AYellingtnn

Mr AVilford here interrupted, and asked the witness to answer his question.

His Honor: That is not a proper question, Mr AAilford. If you want to ask a question there is no necessity to make a speech. T never beard of "the famous Lillvwhite murder case."

Air AVilford (to the witness): You remember Lillvwhite being sent from this country to Great Britain to be tried. Were you the lady who wont into court and swore that you knew Lillvwhite and identified him?

AA itness: I merely identified the photograph of a man who bad stayed in mv house.

Mr "Milford: Is it ivot a fact that you swore to the identity of that man?

AVitness: I swore to the photo of the man who stayed iu my house. Mr AA i 1 ford : A on are going to geteven with Cootes for what he said about you, aren't you? AA itness: A'es, and vou too, .\lr AVilford.

AVitness warmly denied that a number of men whose names counsel read had taken liquor to her house. Mr "Wilford: Do you take your oath that you are -a total abstainer not drink? AY itness: "Yes; and Cootes is a bare-faced liar to say so. AVitness repeated a list of the names of gentlemen to whom his Honor could write as to her character. and to prove that she was a total abstainer.

Mr AA ilford: May T interrupt vou, Mrs Bailev?

AY itness: No; I am telling the magistrate where to write to get my character. (Laughter). Mr AVilford: How many times have you been in court before? A\'itness: f was in court only once before, and then I was for vour client-. You told me to tell a- lie for nwi, -Mr , who -~ot a.voung •girl under fiftee.il into trouble, and you got him off when ho ought to have been in gaol. You did not call me.

Mr AVilford (ironically): Oh 1 Mrs Bailey! Have you a grudgo against me, too?

AVitness (heatedly'): I will summons you for what you have said about mo.

Mr AVilford: Well, you see, Mrs Bailey, that doesn't happen to interest me.

Counsel again asked if she intended to get even with Cootes. AVitness: Mind you, Mr Cootes will pay dearly for this. I intend to summons him.

After Mr Ostler's re-examination the court adjourned till 10 a.m. today. An application for bail was refused.