WOMAN REFUSES TO TELL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4699, 16 May 1924, Page 2

WOMAN REFUSES TO TELL

HER WORD OF HONOUR. PRISON FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT Mrs Annie Jane Sykes, of Little Birlings, near Knockholt, Kent, was committed for contempt of court bv Mr Justice Hill, sitting in the Divorce Division (stated .the "Daily Mail ). Some time ago Mrs Sykes' tiled a divorce petition against her husband, Commander P. S. Sykes. Proceedings for alimony followed, ami an inquiry was held as to the ownership of the contents of the house. Pending a decision, the court ordered that neither husband nor wife should deal with any of the goods. It was alleged that Mrs Sykes had sold some books ami furniture. Mrs Sykes claimed that all the property belonged to tier. She admitted having sold some books to a dealer whom she did not know, and some furniture to people now in South Africa. Mrs Sykes went into the witnessbox but declined to disclose .the identity of the licopie to whom she sold the furniture. She said she had no idea she was doing wrong when she sold the articles. Mr Noel Middleton (for Commander Sykes) : If the court directs you io disclose the names, are you prepared to do it ?—No. I have given my word of honour not to.

Mr Justice Hill said Mrs Sykes would be committed to Holloway Gaol. Perhaps after a little leisure, during which she would have time to think, she might provide the materials *or finding the missing property.