LOST CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 202, 28 August 1933, Page 8

LOST CONTROL.

PROFESSOR IN COURT. OUTBURST OF "LANGUAGE." COMPLAINT OF PERSECUTION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. An outbreak of obscene and filthy language in the Magistrate's Court last week on the part of Professor David James Richards when Mr. J. S. Barton, S M refused to reduce his maintenance order of U per week payable by him to his wife was referred to this morning by Mr. Barton. The magistrate said he had warned Richards, and had said he would pretend not to have heard him. Mr. Richards left the room, but returned and again discharged filthy and disgusting lan<nia°-e, immediately leaving the Court. It was impossible to apply for an order to hold him for contempt as there were no officers there to arrest him. Mr. Barton said he had given the matter considerable thought, and the remedy he proposed was to submit the matter to the Supreme Court, and he had invited defendant to appear this morning to show cause why he should not be dealt with. Richards: I have had four years of agonising persecution. I have suffered nfost frightful injustice. Richards went on to refer to actions in connection with liis matrimonial affairs. Proceeding, he said he had been wrong in using the words. He , had , lost control of himself when it had been stated that his income was larger this year than last. Mr. Barton said he took it that defendant's attitude was that he was justified in using the language. "I cannot help it, sir. Flesh and blood can't stand it. It seems to me to be an attempt to get me in an asylum." Mr. Barton: I understand you have already been held in this Court for contempt until the close of proceedings. I was not aware of that fact. Last week you were warned and have had more leniency than anyone else would have been allowed. Richards: If I have not suffered enough injustice you had better put me in gaol. The Court then adjourned and Richards left the room quietly.