CRIMINAL CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1928, Page 2

CRIMINAL CHARGE

ASS.-U'l/r OX LAWYER. REV. SAM EEL ROBF.RTSOX-ORR . VANCOUVER, Xu v. 28. As this trail is leaving. the Rev. Samuel Roberson-Orr. latterly pastor of the St. And lew’s Presbyterian Church, Wellington, is awaiting judgment on a grave charge of asaulting Air H. B. Robertson. K.C.. who was just then appearing for petitioner in a divorce suit n which Air Orr was named co-respondent. The occurrence is extremely regrettable in view of the fact that a largo body of public opinion bad extended its sympathy to Air Orr in the case before the Divorce Court, the evidence for which was secured through three officials of bis church breaking down a door of a cabin on the night boat to Victoria' in which they found the respondent and the co-respondent. His subsequent indenondent ministry, after being interdicted by the A\ ostern Presbyterian Conference, bad been very popular and a sum of 2000 dollars bad been contributed by his , parishioners onlv three days before the unfortunate occurrence. Tt appears that Air Orr purchased a revolver, telling the dealer to put two blank cartridges in it. booked a room at the Hotel Vancouver under an assumed name and enticed Air Robertson there through a friend on the pretext of securing' professional advice.

Wlieii Mr Robertson arrived lie found in the room .Mr Orr and his counsel, .Mr J. S. McKay. His evidence stated that Mr Orr rushed at him, and realising that ho was in a trap lie seized a chair and struck Mr Orr —“as hard as I could.” said Mr Robertson. Mr Orr then produced a revolver while Mr Robertson seized the telephone shouting: “police, murder, room .‘359.” At a favourable moment lie rushed to the door and got out. Mr Orr’s evidence was to the effect that lie arranged the meeting with a view of effecting some sort of compromise in the divorce suit, as his wife was at the moment near dea tli.

Mr J. W. de T 3. Farris, K.C.. who was specially instructed by telegram dv the Attorney-General to act for the Orown, said this was an attack upon a barrister in the execution of his duty and it was necessary that lie be protected. The police magistrate said lie could not believe Mr Orr’s evidence, as he was of the opinion that Mr Orr was not normal for several days. Tie reserved judgment for .. wees.

[A cablegram received from Vancouver on Doc. 14th. stated that Mi Orr was fined 100 dollars for this assaul. It was stated also that his independent congregation had passed a vote of confidence in t'-e minister and fixed llis stipend at 5000 dollars a year.]