The Agnews Again.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5383, 23 November 1888, Page 3

The Agnews Again.

LIVELY SCENE IN COUET.

A PUBLIC NUISANCE

GOT RID OF FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

[per press association.]

Wellington, This day. The notorious Agnew couple were before tho R.M. Court again this morning, on a charge of using insulting and provoking lammago to the Premier on tho 21st November. Profiting by past experience of the violence and volubility of the accused, tho Court officers had the couple brought in separately, and the charge ao-ainst William Agnew was first proceeded with. Upon the charge being rend over Agnew burst out in a torrent of abuse against tho successive Governments, whom he characterised as swindlers for taking his land from him, and charged Mr. Robinson, R.M., with being a willing tool to these rogues in depriving him of his property. He denied using' insulting language to the Premier, and defied him to go into the witness box and truthfully say he bad been guilty of the charge. "But, Your Worship,"'he added, "he can't speak the truth." Ho haneled in a letter he had received proving, as he put it, that Sir Harry Atkinson and Sir Robert Stout, were in "co " to rob him of his land. Sir Harry Atkinson was then called, and deposed he •was unable to leave his house or office without being followed by the Agnews, who, on the present occasion, demanded justice from himf and railed at him for a swindler and rogue The Court held the charge proved, nnd ordered accused to find sureties to keep -«*bie peace for six months, himself in £o(), < and two sureties of £25 each. As ho was being removed tho accused yelled to Sir Harry Atkinson and tho R.M., J. ii not find security, and I hope you berth bo in hell before I come out. Elizabeth Agnew was then *™ihtriy chtWd, but vehemently protested that she had not Insulted the gentleman. She had hne-n IIWUV years in the Army, and knew better She also declared that Sir Harry Atkinson was in league with Sir Robert Stout to rob them of their land. After Mr Harry Atkinson's evid-nce accused was asked if she had any questions to ask the witness, and. like her husband, she could not confine herself to the case, but proceed to cross-examine the Premier about an old grievance. In a flood of tears she asked the Premier to do them justice, and put back their house on the hind. It was impossible to restrain her denunciation of Sir Harry Atkinson, Sir Robert Stout and Mr. Robinson KM The Premier, who could scarcely be 'heard above the lamentations of the female accused, wished the Court to understand that he had nothing to do with the Ignew's cisc, which had been liberally dealt with by Parliament before he assumed office He had no wish to punish these people, but they were becoming such a SuiSuice that ho found it impossible to cave bis houso for his office, or his office for his home! without being followed and insulted by "hem- and each clay they were becoming im-re violent and threatening in attitude. JC Court ordered Mrs. Agnew to hud Tureties to keep .he peace for six mot,h*in similar amounts to the male accused Upon being removed she declared she would ri.nnd he repaired sureties, but would go to giol aii'l woii tor nothing for the Government who had robbed them.