"HIGHLY IMPROPER."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19966, 7 June 1928, Page 10

"HIGHLY IMPROPER."

LETTER SENT TO JUDGE. REFERENCE TO COURT CASE. FURTHER ACTION INDICATED. The impropriety of approaching a Judge privately regarding a case .before him was emphasised in the Supreme Court yesterday. " Do you know tins signature?" asked Mr. Justice Blair, in handing a letter to David E. Duthoit, a Hamilton witness giving evidence in a defended divorce case. "Yes, it is my wife's," said the witness. " I thought it would bo so, from the similarity of the names," said His Honor. His Honor said the letter was an attempt by the lady who signed it to prejudice him as far as that case was concerned. It was highly improper. The letter said a certain case was to come before hiin and that he had to make certain allowances for a man concerned in it. In this letter, which was addressed to His Honor, was a sealed envelope containing the name of the man referred to. "Of course, I did not ope;} it," said His Honor. " I have been able to recognise the case referred to only because of the similarity of names." The witness Duthoit said he knew nothing of the letter. His wife was not acquainted with legal procedure. His Honor said he would require to take further action in regard to this. People must not attempt to interfere with the administration of justice. Whether it was done with the best of intentions Tor the worst of intentions did not matter. It made the matter very difficult for him. The witness and his counsel, Mr. Osburne-Lilly, again disclaimed all knowledge of the letter.