SCENE IN COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2390, 20 February 1915, Page 9

SCENE IN COURT

■AN UNRULY UTIGANT

JUDGE ORDERS HIS REMOVAL (By Telegraphi—Press Association.) • Auckland ( February . 19. There was an- unwonted' scene in- the Supreme Court this afternoon, when K. W.,Hillj'of; Auokland, again brought forward an application to havo an affidavit made by him removed from the file, on the ground that it had been altered. The application W&s heard before Mr. Justice Stringer, and Mr. Selwyn Mays appeared on behalf of' the Deputy : Public Trustee, whose name was mentioned in the allegations.' Hill's application stated that in connection with the, proceedings ho brought with the object of resuming control of: his'estate, which was vested in the Public Trustee, when somo years ago he was Cdmmitted to'a mental hospital, an affidavit was filed, the date in Which was, subsequently altered :at the instigation of % Sir. E.' F. iWarren, Dcputy-Public Trustee. In accordance with an arrangement made a week ago, Mr. Warren ;;Was preeent in , Court to-day to give, evidence, o Mr. Hill commenced to address the (Judge ,in rapid and disjointed sentences from ? the middle of the- CCuft, when His Honour 'ordered him: to come forward and speak sb that the CoUrtcoula hear. Mr; Hill Continued his addreSs as he leisurely strolled forward with" his hands thrust deeply into his trousers pockets. At the'.outset, Hill asked for an ad-. •jounimertt, saying: that he..-Wanted to . filo further affidavits, and also asked for an ofder for the Crown Solicitor to appear for examination. "It will be absolutely necessary, in order to settle the question as' to who is the false deponent iri this case," he assured the Jndge. : The Judge: "This application, . I understand,- is for the purpose of cressexamining the DepUty-Pubh'o Trustee. That is what you are here to carry out." Mr. Hill: That ia fed, Your Honour. , The Judge (sharply): Then let Mr. Warren be called and cross-examined. !After that, if'yon have any application to make, you can inako it. Meantimo get on with the cross-examination, Mr'. HiU . (WhCse voice,; a n&tUrally. powerful' Cne,.- Was rising -.with escitement) : !'I don't ;think I can 'do that. •Give me half.'- an Hour's adjournment to get my paporo." -. . ■ The '■> Judge: '.'I won't. : You ; knew what was coming on." : Mr. Hill: "All right. ■■ In that case I shall 'have to walk oUt of the court."

The Judge: Very well, if you want to walk out you can walk out. 1 am not going to allow the Court to bo trifled with. Yon aire here for aispecifio purpose. ■ . ■ V,- ■ . '/' ■ Mr. Hill (with surprised indignation): ''Tfifled witn, Yonr Honour. I consider I am the person' Who is being trifled with." - '. S ;'

At this juncture Mr. Selwyn Mays endeavoured to address the. Judge, .but. the applicant's strident tones' drowned the Sentences of -tlio Deputy Crown Solicitor. \ ' The Judge peremptorily ordered Mr. Hill'not to interrupt_ when: another goiltleman was addressing the Court. • Mr Mays thereupon observed that the base was specially mentioned on Wednesdays and he asked Mr. Hill to bo present' in' jofder to approve of tho da+6 for hearing, the application. • Sir;' - Hill retorted 1 that he had said that -"he tad grave doubts as to whether he could -be; leauy." On going, through 'the papers, he found "that the caso required a very gredt '. deal.of thought. "This is riot tho simple question it appears to be. . As to Whether Mr, Warren is at fault or lidt there is a. legal, aMpmeftt.''-.,,. .. .. The' Judge: T aim not going to dis-cuss-that with. you. You are.here for-. the-' express purpose of cross-examining Mr. Warren. You have made a charge which involves, as far as I can read the papers, an alteration of a legal document, under circumstances which would make, it &' very serious misdemeanour on x tho..part of anybody who lrade the alteration;; - ..' •' ■' ;

His Honour proceeded to remark that the affidavit was perfectly immaterial to the" question at issue, but; since Mr. Hill Had made a chargr he was afforded this opportunity, ■ which was really a concession. Mr., : Hill (excited), interrupting: There is =no concession- or favour about it. i The Judge; Will you listen to me? MK Hill: Iwalkid into the office and saw.the affidavit, which I say has been altered. V" • • The- Judge turns round • and says -I -made' a ; charge. 1 I ray he (Mr/ tWarren) is making a charge as much as me.v; There is no concession about-it. The Judge: You have made a charge which I think is the 'outcome of your own disordered imagination: Mr. Hill.: The samerto your Honour. 1 will .walk out'of the court without a .word. That is ouite suffiaient. •' Walking rapidly to the- back of the couri'-Hifl: continued: 1 might say that the Crown is simply a dirty thief. , The Judge v.to 'an officer in court): Constable, just remove him. Hill : "I am quoting LordHalebnry." He disappeared down tha stairs before tha constable could reach him. The application was dismissed, Mr. •Mays waiving cost's