SCENE IN COURT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 167, 8 March 1932, Page 5

SCENE IN COURT

MAN ARRESTED uses profane expression to opposing counsel PERSISTENT INTERJECTIONS Consternation was caus&d iiii Ihe Rotorua Magistrate's Court ye&terday afternoon, when the defendant in a civil action adopted so belligerent a tone in the witness box, that he invoked the Diety with reference to crosfcexamining counsel's intelligence, and described ^the opposing solicitor as the "old bloke with the blue-hells." The man's attltude ^as so unrestrained, that the Magistrate finally * summoned a constahle and ordered him to be taken in charge and brought before him again when he could modierate his behaviour. It is understood that a charge of contempt of court will be laid against the man concerned this morning. The case was one which had been before the court on a previous oc-, casion and concerned a dispute regarding payment for contraet work. When the case was brought on yesterday afternoon, the defendant was seated beside his solicitor, Mr. R. A. Potter, hut as the opposing side'S evidence was called, made a number of interjections which drew the at- • tention of the court usher. Finally * after a number of warnings, he witharew to the rear of the court and dis- " qppeared. He returned shortly, however and from the pphlic entrance lacing the Magistrate's bench agairi . 'nterjected until the usher took him outside and dealt with the matter! ' n committee. At this stage, the Magistrate, MrL S. L. Paterson, S.M., inquired of Mr - Potter whether his client was sober. • Mr. Potter said he smeerely hoped* ' ro, hut Mr. W. A. Carter, who was appearing for the other side, said that v/hile he did not want to disappoint his friend, he had his doubts. • Saluted , Magistrate The case then proceeded, the tedmm being lightened by intermittent , appearances of the defendant at the doors of the eourt-room, where he drew himself up whenever the Magisterial eye fell upon him, and saluted. At intervals he also offered more or less incoherent comments which were audible without being understandahle. When Mr. Carter closed his case, Mr. Potter put the defendant in the box to tell his story, and from then on, events moved quickly. Under his • own counsel's guidance, the defendant was not over emphatie and beyond ref erring to Mr. Carter, who was suorting a huttonhole, as "the old b-loke with the blue-bells," he came '■ through his examination without any major disturbance. V/ith Mr. Carter, however, he adopted a distinctly belligerent attitude "nd after affirming his sobriety very t '■mphatically, asked counsel what he was inferring. Mr. Carter said he wanted the point cleared up as he did not want to take any man at a disndvantage. Proceeding with his erossoxamination, Mr. Carter walked over ; +o the witness box, but the defendant ' vequested him in a loud voice not to come near him. Mr. Carter obligingly ! withdrew, but a moment later, had ! cause to consult a hook in which the defendant stated that a record of his , mgoings was to be found. When . "ounsel stated thnt he could not fol- * riw the hook, defendant shouted a wofane expression at him and leaned aeross the box gesticulating wildly. The Magistrate immediately in- • ptructed the usher to summon a eonstable, and when Constable Kelly apneared, ordered him to arrest the witness and bring him before him later in the afternoon. As the constable laid his hand on the man's arm, the defendant seized the side of the heavy witness stand, and almost dragged it over with him as he left the box. He was promp|ly removfed, but various sounds of his passing fioated * through the courtroom windows as he - departed on his way to the cells. As soon as the disturbance had subcided, Mr. Potter apologised to the court for his client's behaviour, stat- . ing that he had not been aware that . defendant was not in a proper condition when he put him in the box. The man was not brought before the court during the afternoon, -but it is understood that he will be charged with contempt of court this morning.