REFUSED TO TAKE OATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1917, Page 8

REFUSED TO TAKE OATH.

SCENE IN PALMERSTON COURT. The first excitement in connection with Military Appeal Boanl sittings in Palmer,ston occurred on Tuesday, when Justin Dominie Kearins, farmer, of Kairanga, was put in the witness-box to etrroborate eviilence given by his brother Maurice, and to appeal for time to put his affairs in order. The previous witness had been somewhat out of hand, and his brother promised to be even less civil. Neither he nor his brother had taken the oath of allegiance. "What is this about you refusing to take the oath?" asked the chairman, when Kearins entered the box. Kearins: "Quite a lot of others wen) past and tliev were never asked to take the oath." The Chairman: Did you refuse to the oath? Kearins: Yes, I did. T. was quite prepared to take the oath when I went into camp. Mr. McLaren: You were quite prepared to take, the. privilege's of your country, yet you would not take the oath. The chairman: Why did you not take the oath? Kearins (defiantly}: It did not suit me. Mr. Cooper (after, a smart interchange) : Get out of the box. Major McDonnell asked Kearins to take the oath of allegiance. Witness refused. "I'll take it when I go into camp," he said, defiantly, "but I won't take it for you now or anybody else.'. "All vight,' said the Major. (He called the court orderly.) "Here, put this man in the cells, constable." Tin l , man w r as inarched out of the court and was quickly followed by his brother and sympathisers. who made a plea oil his behalf. Major McDonnell was called out of court to hear the plea from Kearins, who showed signs of relenting. "I'll take the oath when I go into camp," said Kearins. "That's no good to me," said the Major. "Take him away, constable." Kearins then surrendered altogether TTe came back into court and relieved his feelings by attacking Captain Walker with a few unintelligible sentences. "Look here, young man," said the chairman, "if you are not careful I'll send you up for contempt of court." Captain Walker: Oh. he will get all' that knocked out. of him when he goes into camp.

The chairman: Yes, I suppose he will Kearins followed Major McDonnell out of the court to take, the oath, and there the incident closed.