THE NODINE CASE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10062, 7 June 1910, Page 3

THE NODINE CASE.

I DEFENDANT DECLINES TO WITHDRAW CERTAIN ALLEGATIONS. FURTHER PROCEEDINGS LIKELY. An interesting and somewhat unusual development' has resulted from the hearing in the hupreme Court at Wellington of the case <f Jaims Alexander Hannah v. Charles Nodine. The ease—which was the first of the civil session of the Court—was heard before his Honor the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout on Tuesady and Wednesday last. The claim was for an order for the specific performance of an agreement to lease certain premises in Lambton Quay, entered into by the plaintiff, through his agent. Robert Hannah, and the defendant. While he was Riving evidence on his own behalf, the defendant repudiated his signature on the document produced by the plaintiff as the original agreement. Although repeatedlywarned by his Honor that by so doing ho would be rendering himself liable to indictment for perjury, the defendant insisted that the dccumer.t. put in had been forged, and was different from the one he had signed. His suggestion was that the forgery had been committed by a member of the well-known legal firm of Chapman, Skerrett, Wylie, and Tripp. At the hearing his Honor reservid his decision until Saturday, in order to Icok into the law on tne matter, but at the same time told the defendant that he could not believe a word of nis evidence. He also gave the defendant until Saturday to withdraw the allegations he had made, and humbly to apologise fcr having made them. He would then consider whether or not he would direct the police to institute criminal proceedings against the defendant for perjury. Mr A. Blair appeared on behalf of the plaintiff. The defendant conducted his own case. OPPORTUNITY TO APOLOGISE. When the case was called on Saturday last his Honor, addressing the defendant, said:—"Have you anything to say to the Court, Mr NodineV" The defendant: Yes, your Honour. I wish to complain of the unfair way in which the Court has treated me. I presume I am allowed to speak of that." His Honor: I don't think so. I gave you an opportunity, owing t6 your position in the community, and to the fact that, so far as I know, you are of good character, to reconsider what you said; because I thought you acted in the excitement of the moment, and could not weigh your words. Of course, if you don't accept thatThe defendant: I protested at first. His Honor: That has nothing to do with it. The defendant: Remarks were made from' the bench and published in the papers and sent broadcast, reflecting on me. His Honor: That is so; but I cannot help that. I made such remarks as my duty as a judee dictated.

The defendant: You said I was liable for perjury. His Honour; Mr Nodine, this discussion cannot go on here. The matter is one which must be continued in another court. The defendant: As a business man, this is of great importance to me. It may mean life and death to me. His Honor: I cannot help that. The defendant: You are a judge in equity, and you have treated me unfairly. His Honor: I gave you an opportunity to take back what you said in the box. If you do not I shall give my judgment and deal with you after. The defendant: I wish to make a remark or two on the case. His Honor: You cannot do that Mr Nodine. The case is finished. The defendant: You forced this case on me when I was not ready. , His Honor: I did not, Mr Nudine. The defendant: You did. His Honor: Are you ready to withdraw what you said in tho box. The defendant; Not at all. His Honor: Very well, I shall proceed t) deliver judgment. The Chief Justice afterwards gave judgment for the plaintiff with costs against Nodine. After he had delivered his judgment, his Honor said t3 the defendant: "You will hear of the other matter in due course. Steps wiil be dulj taken." The defendant: I want to know when the other case will cime on. His Honor: You will hear about it, Mr Nodine, when the time cam jr. That will do.