A MAGISTRATE'S COURT “STONEWALL”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 820, 31 March 1910, Page 3

A MAGISTRATE'S COURT “STONEWALL”

A special message from Greymouth to the Christchurch Evening News : The close of the case yesterday against three men charged with breaking into the Grey Brewery was responsible for a lively passage at arms between Mr A. R. Guinness (defending counsel') and Police Inspector Black. The prosecution had closed, and Mr Guinness had practically intimated that he would not address the Court, when he raised the question as to whether, in the event of the accused being committed for trial, they would be sent to Lyttelton this morning. Inspector Black ; Yes. Mr Guinness then pointed out that if his Worship w'onld remand Beatty till Thursday, he would be able to find bail in Grey month. His Worship said that could not be done.

Inspector Black objected to any remand. There was, he said, no suitable place to detain the prisoners, and he would not take the responsibility of holding them.

Mr Guinness : Very well, then, I will keep you here 24 hours. I will go on with the defence. Inspector Black : You are not speaker of this Court, although you may be elsewhere. Mr Guinness: I intend to minutely examine the evidence of each witness; I have plenty of time.

After addressing the Court till nearly seven o’clock, Mr Guinness intimated his intention of speaking till after the Otira train departed in the morning. This was 100 big an order for the Stipendiary Magistrate, who peremptorily adjourned the case till Thursday.