Honor Anions ——!
The following extraordinary case was heerd at the Temuka Police Court on Wednesday : John Woodhead was brought up on remand charged with receiving stolen goods! He had been before the court on the last court day, but refused to say where he got the coat alleged to have been stolen. Mr White appeared for bim and asked that he be put into the witness box.'' John Woodhead: I got the loan of the coat under Mr Brown's verandah. j had not the slightest idea where it was' got. The person went and fetched it to me. He was about ten minutes away, I would not tell the name of the person if I were hanged. I promised I would not' and I won't. Mr White: You told me the man ! Witness: I did. Mr White: Will you allow the name to be handed into the court ? Witness: No. Mr White: You gave me the name and told me that if it was' absolutely necessary to mention it I could mention it. I tell yon now it is absolutely necessary to mention it.' Will you allow me to hand in the name to the court ? ... Witness : No, I will not. Mr White: You told me I could if it was necessary. Witness: No. I said I would not tell th e name unless I thought it necessary. Mr White: But it is necessary now. Witness: I will not allow the name to be made public. Mr White: Now, here it is written on this bit of paper. It will not be made Jublic if I hand it into the court now. May hand it in ? Witness: No. I'd rather be hanged first. I swore I wonld not, and I won't. Mr White: Oh, but you did not swear. Witness : Well, I was put in a corner; and I made the promise without knowing what I was doing, and I am not going to break it. Mr White: Remember now that it is a matter of serious consequence to yourself and to your family.
Witness : I don't care. I'm going to put up with it. Mi- White: Very well. I cau do no more. Hid Worship said that the witness had tendered his evidence and now he defied the court, and ho would have to commit him for contempt. There was no just cause for refusing to givo the name. If he had made the promise he had already broken it by telling his counsel the name of the party. He would be committed to gaol for seven days for contempt of court, and would bo brought up again on the same charge.— Timaru 'Times.'
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18880317.2.27
Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 7473, 17 March 1888, Page 2
Word Count
445Honor Anions ——! Evening Star, Issue 7473, 17 March 1888, Page 2
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