"I'LL SIFT THIS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 162, 29 September 1927, Page 1

"I'LL SIFT THIS”

HOW MANY HOPES? MYSTERY OF IDENTITY MAGISTRATE IS DETERMINED nearly two hours and a-half -*■ John William Hope was under cross-examination at the Police Court yesterday afternoor* and when the adjournment was taken Mr. S. L. Patterson, who is appearing for the Crown, had not finished with him. Hope was charged with being in arrears on a maintenance order made in England in favour of a woman whom he claims is not his wife. Mr. Patterson opened his crossexamination by asking Hope if either of his parents were alive, and to this witness replied “No.” Mr. Patterson: Where did your father die? “I don’t know. It was while I was at sea,” said Hope. Witness then mentioned a stepfather. The magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt: Do you know what a step-father is? Witness: Yes. Mr. Hunt: What is your step-father’s name ? “Hope,” replied witness. Mr. Hunt: So your mother married two men named Hope? “Yes,” said the witness. Witness then said that he had a brother and sister living at Worsley, England, but he had not heard from his brother since the war began. Mr. Patterson: Was your mother living when you married Miss Barnes? “No,” replied ttie witness, “she was dead.’ * The magistrate: But you told us that

you got a newspaper telling of her death a short time ago. Witness: No; that was the woman ray sister and I called mother. The Magistrate: What was her name? Witness: Ellen llope. The Magistrate: Her name Hope, too! I’m not going to interrupt any more. This has got me down. Hope, when questioned concerning his war service, said he had served on a Spanish ship flying a neutral flag. Mr. Patterson: You got a medal for that service? “Yes,” replied Hope. So the examination went on. and late in the afternoon an adjournment was made until Friday. “HI sit every afternoon for a month if necessary to sift this out," said Mr. Hunt.