Rev. Orr in Court.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1922, Page 3

Rev. Orr in Court.

I BY TELEOUAPiI ~ PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. AVELINGTON, Oet 20. The Rev Samuel Robertson-On- appeared at .the Magistrate Court today. He made no appearance when first called, and a, discussion took place as to whether in view of the medical advice tlia.t Orr was not fit to take part in the proceedings, the ease should ho w ithdrawn . M,r Jellieoe, counsel for All's Evans (complainant) said that ho would make no application. Mr Hunt, the Magistrate said that lie would not order a withdrawal. Orr appeared after a short adjournment and Air Jellieoe opened the ease. After a short while Orr broke down and a further short adjournment was made.

The charge against Orr is of allegedly sending Airs Evans a letter threatening that unless she discharged or gave up a judgment recorded against Orr in the Supreme Court, two persons who gave evidence for plaintiff would he accused of perjury. Air Jeßicoe stated to-day that there had been a deliberate overt act to defraud the judgment debtor. He explained that in August Evans received a judgment summons against the accused and his wife’s estate 1 for £2OO damages and £lls costs, and delenclaut executed a hill of sale over his property. A few days later lie sent from Christchurch a telegram asking one of his el,inch officials to meat him the next day ( August 2,th) in AA cllington. He was to preach another member of the church. I l,ey met and Orr asked them to arrange for the delivery of a letter to Airs Evans the next day. Tie gave them a letter which they passed to a third man for delivery. Evans refused to accept it. and it- was placed in the letter l,nx. On the same‘day Evans received a telegram advising her to comply with the terms of the letter. Counsel said that this telegram was given to a hoy in front of the General Past Office to deliver. In the Orr case. Air Jell,coo. Counsel for the plaintiff, proceeded to read a number »f letters which. ho said, had been forwarded to Mr Jellicoc dispensing with his services, ami another to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, for holding ihu judgment in abeyance. V man called at Evans place to collect these letters, said Counsel, hut AU-s Evans had communicated with the police, and there were, two detectives secretd inside and outside the house. Airs Evans handed the empty envelopes to the man who, as soon as he got outside started to run. Thu detectives gave chase, hut the man Air Jellieoe detailed the delemlant s movements, and concluded by remarkin--’ that Orr hail now honestly tuliill--olfhi, obligations under the judgment. JEI.LIC'OK'S OFFER. "Under the circumstances, I can only hope that the defendant will make ■ meal his statement that he knew nothr„g of the letter, and that the whole matt",’ had been arranged by the Christchurch Lodge ot his society. "1 hope that he will prove, in his own interests, and in Die interests of the public, that thee exists ~, our midst evilly disposed persons who are sworn to carry out their decisions | )V means of menaces. If he does this, he will find the prosecution ready to assist him in extricating himself from his trouble.' _ The first witness was A era L. Xeillnge. of New Brighton, Christchurch. who stated she had been with the delemlant and his wife in AYellmgton hist vear. Before she was married in .August, she wrote a letter, dictated bv a man named Mitchell, a copy of which was sort to Orr. with some portions of it omitted. Another letter was dictated by .Mitchell, and was addressed to someone in Palmerston North. AY it ness said that Alitehell told her Orr had got into some trouble, and he wanted to held him. Mitchell had said he was an Orangeman and that Orr also was an Orangeman. WELLINGTON. Oet. 20 In the Orr ease Dr J". M. Mason who had examined the defendant, at the icquest of Mr Jellieoe. and who furnished ; i report as referred L> earlier, said | that he most certainly was not in a (it condition to follow any argument, lie believed that, for a long period, Oit : had not been right, “lie is not a menial ca-s".” added the witness, “but ho has 1-ml n-riods of intense depression, ; and then of exaltation.” i Mr Hunt: “He would not appreciate! his trial before a jury.” AA'it iH'ss; "He would not. No man pronely balanced, ~, his opinion, would have acted according to the statements mad" to the witness by , (<it. He did hot realise now that hi.' j letter might basis for a criminal i charge. ! Dr Jeffreys. w>’o had seen the defendant daily for sonic lime past, said tlmt at the present time he was not lit j ; stand his trial, lie should no' he there that day. The Mm-istrate: "1 have fully considered this matter, and I do not filin', that the country should he nut to expense. Air Jellieoe Bntorrupting) : “Now I would ask your Worship's permission to withdraw.” Tile civil proceedings had been s"ltled. and he would like withdraw the charges. AH- Alazengai'h: "I would ask that it lie dismissed. Mr Jellieoe: “Not on the doctor’s evidence.” ' The Magistrate: "Very well then, the information will he withdrawn with tl.i consent of the Court.”