"GROSS CONTEMPT OF COURT"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 79, 23 March 1908, Page 3

"GROSS CONTEMPT OF COURT"

■' UNPARDONABLE IMPUDENCE." DILATORY WITNESS 1U ITU'S Till; JUIXiE. During the jirogross uf the Sii|ir«ini'

Court business on Saturday morning, \ delay was caused by the fact that a witness named Walter Riddell was jxot furthcoming when called by the Court crier. Mr. IluU'hen asked the Court to adjourn for a fuw minutes to enable the witness to attend. His Honor: J can't sit here awaiting the pleasure of witnesses. It is Mr. Hughes' business to have his witnesses here, and lie knows that. I want, to get through the whole of tho business today. Mr. Quilliam ofi'erod to facilitate matters and avoid delay by making any admissions possible. If he had an idea of what tlus witness was being called to prove, he might be able to do so. Jlr. Hutehen said he wanted to call the witness, on account of a possible appeal. His Honor: Well, I can't sit here waiting for your witness—who doesn't choose to attend—merely because of the possibility of an appeal. ill'. Hutehen explained that the witness had had to come in by train. -Mr. Quilliam: He was here yesterday.

Air Hutehen: \ou seem to know more about our witnesses than we do. Mr. Quilliam: Well, you don't seem to know whero he is.

Air. Hutehen was explaining the nature of the evidence of this witness, when Riddell made his appearance. The witness, who was ushered in !>y a constable and an excited junior clerk from the solicitor's office, ruado towards Mr. Hughes at the counsel table, but Constable Alclvor pushed the helm hard over, and the man was oventually berthed cosily enough in the witness

box, and was sworn. His Honor: "Where have you been?" and, before the flustered man could reply, "Were you subpoened?" Riddell was evidently going to give tangible evidence of that, for he fumbled in his breast pocket, and produced therefrom an envelope, probably containing tlio terrifying blue paper. His Honor wouldn't wait, and the wan answered that he had been subpoened. His Honor: At what hour? Witness: Two or three days ago. His Honor: It's a most unpardonable piece of impudence and gross contempt of Court for a witness to behave in this way. I won't allow it. I am inclined to fine you. Witness: Air Hughes told me I need not stay in Court. 'Air. Hughes was rising to make an explanation, His Honor: Then that makes matters worse. It is gross contempt of Court that anybody should take upon the nselvcs to tell a witness he can wait outside till sent for. Mr. Hughes: I told witness he could wait outside, you Honor. His Honor: It is gross contempt of Court on the part of both of you. I've a mind to fine both. Air Hughes pleaded that it was not the witness' fault. His Honor (hotly): Then it's worse. The witness might be excused for not knowing, but you cannot. Air. Hughes: I take all the blame myself, your Honor. 1 told him to remain out of Court. His Honor: Then you had no business to do any such thing. This closed tiro incident.