£5O FINE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 8

£5O FINE

FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT

ECHO OF THE NASH CASE.

Arising out of the recent case of Nash against Nash, a petition for judicial separation, consideration was given by the full Bench of the Supreme Court today to, a charge of contempt of Court made against a witness, Harry Clarence Cobb, who was alleged to have spoken to a juryman during the lunch hour.

Mr. Justice Salmond presided, and associated with him were Mr Justice Eeea and Mr. Justice MacGregor. Mr. D. R. Hoggard appeared for the applicant, William Harry Nash, and the defendant was represented by Mr. P. J. o'Regan. Mr Hoggard informed the Court that Mr. O Began had withdrawn his request to cross-examine his witnesses, and it would only be necessary for him to refer to the question of punishment. . The applicant, he said, would be very distressed if Cobb were sent to gaol, but he had felt it his duty to bring the matter before the Court. Mr. O'Regaji said that subsequent to 'ast Thursday Cobb had admitted that he had spoken to the juryman in question^ and he (Mr. O'Regan) had deemed it right that he should acquaint Mr. Hoggard of that fact. Cobb was a man of excellent character, and was married with three children. He was an.artisan, employed on a weekly salary oasis, and had no money apart from his earnings. . ■ Mr. Justice Salmond : "We appreciate the action you have taken, Mr. O'Regan. it was very propar. After consulting his colleagues, Mr. Justice Salmond said that Cobb had approached a, juryman, the reasonable inference being that ho had done so with a. view to influencing the juryman m order to obtain a verdict for Mrs. ±\asn, or a disagreement. There was no suggestion of Iribery. In the present case, the Court was satisfied that the charge against Cobb had been provwinn. •* a" ?? ence must be treat«d as trv?,l ' V° u!d noi bs «garded as cose a f •' Wf S- rot- Pr°P° sed to impose a term of imprisonment, but the Court had decided to fine Cobb £50, £ith ; costs amounting to £15. If the fine was not paid within fourteen days, I™Z\ ■ att? c, hnient against Cobb would be issued by the Court.