ALLEGED CONTEMPT

Evening Star, Issue 24054, 28 November 1941, Page 8

ALLEGED CONTEMPT

PACIFIST'S NOTES IN COURT (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 27. Arrested during a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court to-day, Lincoln Arthur Winstone Efford was placed in the dock before Mr A. A. McLaolilan, S.M., and charged that on November 27. at Christchurch, he committed wilful contempt, in face of the Magistrate’s Court, that not being an authorised person be did take down reports in writing, whicli included notes of the magistrate’s remarks with comments thereon. Efford, who pleaded not guilty, said that lie did not know his position and he wanted to seek legal advice in the matter. “ I have always behaved myself in court and I protest at the indignity of being arrested and searched like this,” said Efford. Efford said he was in the court as a member of the public. The Magistrate: Are you a reporter for some newspaper? Efford; No, I am in court as ,u member of the public. “ Was there some other person in the court taking notes?” asked the Magistrate. “ Yes, your Honour.” said a female voice from the back of the court. The Magistrate: You had better bo jointly charged. The Magistrate (to Efford) : Do you deny making notes of my remarks'? Efford: 1 don't know my position. i. want to get legal advice before saying anything. “ Tim case will bo adjourned until to-morrow, bail being allowed' in your own recognisance of £20,” said * the magistrate. When the defendant bad left the dock the Magistrate asked to what society Efford belonged. Sub-inspector E. T. Turner: The Pacifist Society, sir. Detective M. R. Stewart said that Efford bad been attending sittings of the Appeal Hoard and bad taken a keen interest in the proceedings. “ Bring in the young lady now. but do not formally charge her,” said the Magistrate. When she was brought before the Bench the Magistrate asked ; Are you a member of the Pacifist Society? “ Yes, your Honour.” was the rcplv. The Magistrate: Proud of it? The Woman: Very proud of it. The young 'woman said that she did not know she was not .allowed to take notes “ T have taken notes in Wellington for my own benefit in full sight of the magistrate and the police,” she added. The Magistrate; What do you propose to do with them ? The 'Woman ; They may not oven be transerilied If they are transcribed I imiv not make any use of them as I could not hear very well.” “ "Well, you can go now, but don’t you come to the court again taking notes,” said fho Magistrate.