AN ILLEGAL INTRUSION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1917, Page 2

AN ILLEGAL INTRUSION

ENQUIRY AGENTS’ METHODS.

The conduct of two private enquiry agents who appeared as witnesses in a divorce case called down a very severe condemnation from Mr. Justice Cooper at. the Supreme Court at Auckland on Saturday (says the “Star”). The agents stated that they shadowed a man and a young woman through the city one evening, followed them into a hotel, and having seen them go into a bedroom, secured another on the same floor. Later they opened the door of the couple’s room, switched on the light, and discovered the two people in bed.

“It is a very illegal act for you to do,” said the judge when the first, of the men was giving his evidence. “You entered a room which for the time he* ing was the man’s house. It was entirely illegal.” At the close of the case his Honor again mentioned the matter. “I will grant a decree nisi,” ho said, “hut T wish to express my disapprobation of the conduct of the enquiry agents in going into a private bedroom in an hotel and turning on the light, under the pretence of having made a mistake. It was an improper and outrageous thing to do, and I hope that I shall hear no more of such conduct on the part of these agents. They appear often before me, and this is the first time that I have had to censure them. Ido censure them now. It was a most improper and outrageous thing to do.”