COUNSEL APOLOGISES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 260, 29 July 1932, Page 12

COUNSEL APOLOGISES

Statement About Police ACTED ON INSTRUCTIONS Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, July 28. A denial that a warrant had been held over accused in order to force him to become a “stool pigeon” for the police was made by Detective Barling when Edward Mountford Tunnicliffe, mechanic and showman, aged 47, appeared on two charges of being idle and disorderly in that he had no lawful visible means of support and that he consorted with reputed thieves. Senior-Detective Quirke.sald the suggestion was a ridiculous one, and he was surprised at counsel for accused making such a charge against a reputable officer of the police force. He considered it to be a personal insult. Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., said he considered counsel should have more than merely the word of accused before making such a statement. Counsel for’ accused tendered his apology for the statement, and said he was merely, acting upon from accused. Personally he did not entertain the suggestion made in the allegation on the second charge. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within twelve months if called upon, and was warned to discontinue his association with doubtful characters. . The charge of having no means of support was dismissed.