"FIRST-CLASS LIAR."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1930, Page 8

"FIRST-CLASS LIAR."

MOTORIST'S INSULT. FORCED TO APOLOGISE. incident at police court. A motorist who was prosecuted at the Police Court this morning and afterwards made use of an insulting, remark to a City Council traffic, inspector hacL to withdraw his words and apologise. Defendant was charged with proceeding over the intersection of Khyber Pass and Symonds Street before receiving a signal from a traffic officer. He denied the charge and gave evidence. In the witness box he said he did not commit a breach of the by-laws, although he admitted that the traffic officer who reported him was of the most reliable in the council's employ. After leaving the box the motorist, who was fined £1 and costs, went over to the traffic officer and told him that he was a "first-class liar." The officer reported what was said to Mr. George Hogan, chief traffic inspector. Mr. Hogan then mentioned the matter to the magistrate, Mr. W. 11. McKean, saying that lie took strong exception to such a remark being made to one of his men. The magistrate immediately ordered defendant to stand up and withdraw the remark, and also to apologise to the traffic man. This the defendant refused to do. , . "Do you hear my instructions?" said Mr. McKean. "Yes," replied the motorist. "Well, obey them," said Mr. McKean. The motorist's counsel persuaded his client to withdraw the remark and to apologise. "I withdraw it, but I still think he's a liar," he said. Mr. McKean: That is not. the manner in which it lias to be done. ' You must withdraw the remark made, and also apologise. The motorist, after further persuasion by counsel, reluctantly and hesitatingly apologised.