Alleged Threat.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1922, Page 4

Alleged Threat.

CHARGE AGAINST CLERGYMAN

, PROCEEDINGS ADJOURNED

WELLINGTON, Sept 13. A case presenting some remarkable aspects was before Mr IV. G. Riddell, S.M. to-day. The complaint of the plaintiff, Nellie Evans, was that the suspected defendant ,the. Rev. Robertson Orr, on August 28th, caused her to recive a document containing a threat that unless she discharged and (or) gave tip a judgment or record reeovored in the Supreme Court against Orr and his wife dated August 18th., 1922, two persons Being witnesses who gave material evidence on behalf of the plaintiff in tille said judgment, iwoulci be accused of a crime, to wit, perjury, in the evidence which they gave on the trial, Orr then well knowing the contents of the document. Defendant did not appear, and Mr Jellicoe, for the plaintiff, asked that lie should be called.

*Mr Mnzengnrb, for the defendant, said Mr Orr’s health prevented him from coming to Wellington. Some years ago lie .suffer'd a serious mental breakdown -Slid was granted leave of absence for six months. The strain of the recent Court proceeding was so great that he was given further leave from -his church. He preferred not to take n holiday, but decided on a change of occupations, and lias since been engaged in a campaign on behalf of the Armenian Relief Fund. On Monday he attempted to return to Wellington, but collapsed, and a doctor bad given a certificate forbidding him to travel and confining him to bed. He asked for a week’s adjournment but indicated that even then it might be some time before his client could appear in Court. .Mr Jellicoe opposed the application, saying: ‘The offence we allege was committed on August 28th., and on that day he .was aide- to lock up lii.s house against the sheriff and keep it locked from that day to this. He was aide to abscond from Wellington in his motor car and dispose of his ear in Palmerston North. On Thursday last, after eluding the police, he wa.s diseovered on hoard the Mararoa on his way to Christchurch, and was served in his cabin with the process, which he has now been called on to answer. Mr Jellicoe added that the defendant went from Wellington on Friday knifiring the charge was to he heard next day. He had in Christchurch executed a bill of sale over his effects in Wellington to his father-in-law. He contended that the medical certificates showed nothing more unusual than was the case when people were* cliaiged with criminal offences, and there was no justification for the application that such a serious charge should be indefinitely postponed. Air Mazengarb said he did not ask for that. . Constable Tongue gave evidence that he had served the defendant on board the Mararoa. Orr said the whole matter could he easily explained. It had boon arranged by the Christchurch lodge of his society. He understood the defendant to refer to a letter. In answer to Air Mazengaro, witness said he knew other charges were pending, and that counsel had offered to facilitate the service of these- proceedings. He would prefer not to say whether he had to complain of witnesses being tampered with. He had reasons for this.

The Alagistrato decided to adjourn the case for a week.