DOCTOR AND WIFE IN COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 82, 2 December 1912, Page 5

DOCTOR AND WIFE IN COURT.

A CURIOUS CASE. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, December 1. “I have only recently been instructed.” said Mr T. M. Wilhrd at the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning, “but if my instructions are correct this is a most unwarranted abuse of the procedure of this Court, when the procedure is used ic arrest a medical man and his wife within a few hours of their sailing for England, this process is aims id.” The case under discussion was before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., and the facts as detailed by defendant's counsel were that Dr. Storey, who, has been for some time assisting in medical administration at Raratonga, left ihe islands some weeks back with lus wife, and lias since been staying at the G r and Hotel. He purchased tickets for the voyage Jiome to England, and was to have sailed by the s s. Suney with his wife, on Saturday. On Friday evening the doctor t "d Jus wife were arrested and placed in the custody of a bailiff of the Court. The writs weio issued ok the plea of Eugene lbsober and W. H. Grove, both of Auckland. Fischer claims £25, being money lent, with it forest, and Grove claims £2H, mone;> doe in payment for a buggy, which’ witness ordered in August of last year. This vehicle, said defendant’s solicitor, did not come to hand until January of this year, when defendant said that he would not accept delivery. It was not delivered, and he knew nothing more about the ma filter until he was arrested. Dr Storey also contended that plaintiff were absolutely cognisant of his movements, and could easily have commenced proceeding- in time, and not just prior to his departure from New Zealand. As to Die buggy, his wife had told Grove, ;with whom she had dealings, that although she did not want it she would 'take it off his hands, and he could take by way of exchange a quantity of copra or produce from her plantations; It was explained that Mrs Storey had a freehold property valued at between £2OOO and £3OOO, and that she sends her copra to - Auckland. Howover, no more was heard from Grove about the matter until the warrant was issued. The other amount was contracted on a note of hand by Mrs Storey, in August of 1910. before her marriage, and she claims that she discharged this liability absolutely and borrowed no more from Fischer. Mr C. Izard. who appeared for plaintiffs, said that he had telegraphed to Auckland asking if defendants’should be field in custody, and lie had received a reply that the debts were, absolutely due, and that this course was to be followed. Mr Riddell stated that it was a case in which plaintiffs should be nonsuited. This would ho done. Defendant's solicitor: “I ask for costs, your Worship.” Mr Riddell: “Costs will be allowed against plaintiffs of two guineas qn each charge.”