OFFENDER UPSET

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1787, 30 November 1936, Page 5

OFFENDER UPSET

Ordered to show restraint A sharp reminder that he should hot allow his feelings to get the better of him was given a farmer in the Putaruru Magistrate’s Court on Friday. During the hearing of a case in which he? was prosecuted under the Noxious Weeds Act, Thomas Hampton took strong exception -to statements made by the noxious weeds inspector to the Matamata County Council and gave free ji expression to his feelings at the 'conclusion of the case. As he passed out of the court he was heard to say something about “ seeing him up the street,” whereupon the Magistrate, Mr. S. L. Paterson, recalled him and warned him that to threaten a witness in court. proceedings was a punishable offence. At the close of the session, Hampton reappeared in court charged with using indecent language in a public place. " . ;

Constable Cotter stated that accused had followed the inspector to his car on the Tirau road using bad language. The Magistrate recalled his previous warning. Hampton was very apologetic and said he had been upset. The offence would not occur again. On this understanding he was’convicted and discharged.