MAN DRUNK IN COURT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 5 February 1931, Page 2

MAN DRUNK IN COURT

TAKEN IN CUSTODY FOR. DAY. (By Telegrapli—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Feb. 4. One of the parties to a maintenance case appeared in a semi-intoxicated condition in the Blenheim 'Magistrate’s Court to-day and was ordered 1o lie taken into custody by Mr T. E. Maunsoll. S.M. llis name is Roderick Barclay, and he applied through Mr C. T. Smith for a variation of a maintenance order for £1 10s per week in his wife’s favour. The applicant was at once placed in the box and proceeded to give evidence in a rambling fashion, which induced his counsel to ask leave to retire from the case on the grounds that his client was not in a lit condition to give evidence. The magistrate said he agreed and refused to make an order.

Subsequently the magistrate called Barclay before him and asked him if he could give any reasons why he should not be committed for contempt of court [ in appearing before him in a semi-in-i toxieated condition. Barclay expressed regrets. Ujs counsel explained that Barclay lived in the country far away from hotels and had possibly been “overcome by the sudden temptation of Blenheim’s strong waters.” The magistrate ordered defendant to be taken into custody until the rising lof the court. Later lie v T as brought before the magistrate and pleaded that war injuries had.left their mark on him and when excited ho was easily overcome bv drink. He had had only two brandies. The magistrate accepted the explanation and dismissed him.