WILD SCENE IN COURT.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 402, 8 April 1937, Page 5

WILD SCENE IN COURT.

Abuse Hurled at Officials. Struggle To Eject Man. Hastings, April 7. One of the wildest scenes ever witnessed in the Magistrate’s Court at Hastings terminated when Joseph S. Hannah was removed from the court 'shaking his fists and waving his stick lat the Magistrate and hurling defti ance and abuse at the Magistrate and I count officials. I A constable endeavoured to remove Hannah when ordered by the Magistrate, Mr J. Miller, but he resisted so forcibly that a second constable was called, and after a prolonged struggle, during which the Press and solicitors’ tables were pushed about and people scrambled about to avoid the melee, Hannah was finally removed and taken to the police station. The mot nin.g’s work in the courthouse had practically finished, and maintenance canes were being dealt with when a case was called in which Mansoor Hanna! ’Was concerned. The Clerk of the Co-irt, Mr W. M. Will, announced that the defendant was Mansoor Hannah as Joseph Hannah was making his way to the solicitors’ table. Hannah was apparently in a belligerent mood, and he demonstrated .the fact immediately. He stepped forward with his father. “A Mdck Court.’’ "It was Manse or Hannah I called, not you,” said the clerk. "I am defendf’lg the case- for my father,” retorted Joseph Hannah. The Magistrate: You have no -standing in the mattir. “I have a power of attorney” repsied Hannah, his volte rising. "I gave it in here the last lime I was in court, and you have no', given it back to me. You needn’t think you are going to put that across me,” he added defiantly. The Magistrate: Please remember you are in a c mrt of -justice. Hannah: In court? In a mock court you mean. That’s all this court is.” The Magistrate: Sit down. The case has not y-:t started. Hannah: I won't sit down. I know this is just a mock court. Cries of "Silence” and “Sit down.” The Magistrate: If you are not careful you will be arrested for contempt of court “Don’t you ir.’orry about me. I know what 1 am doing,” retoijjd Hannah, “Go ahead and arrest me.” The Magistrate: Officer, remove (his man from the-,court. Hannah: sou dare. Just you try to arrest me. Go ahead! and try it. '“Come on now,” said Constable Bradley, grasping Hannah's arm. He then proceeded to use force to move Hannah from the vlclnijy o f the solicitors’ -table, at which Hannah who is short but very thickset, began to fight back strenuously. A terrific Struggle ensued, during which the court furniture was sen t spinning in all directions, most of the people in the room standing spellbound at the turn of events. After being detained in custody for about an hour, Hannah was brought before the Magistrate and given an opportunity of apologia, ... ni3 c .. n duel, but instead he embarked’upon i rambling statement about his never getting justice or sa bfaction in court. The Magistrate then adjourned proceedings until next Wednesday and ordered that Hannah be- released from the custody of the police.