CIVIL CASE EPISODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 14

CIVIL CASE EPISODE

ENSILAGE STACKS DISPUTE MAGISTRATE AND PLAINTIFF [from our OWN correspondent! HAMILTON, Tuesday "If you do not sit down and be quiet, I will order you to be taken into custody," said Mr.' S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court this morning to Leopold Hodgins, who claimed £IOO from T. H. Henderson (Mr. Gillies), farmer, of Horsham Downs, the amount being the alleged -value of two stacks of ensilage. Hodgins, who was not represented by counsel, stood up to conduct his own case, and was informed by Mr. Paterson that he could not continue as he had not paid the necessary hearing fee of. 255. Hodgins protested that Bince he had been obliged to leave his farm he had very little money. Mr.. Paterson said that he would adjourn the case for a fortnight, and Hodgins continued to speak until reproved. Hodgins was ordered to pay the necessary hearing fee, witnesses' expenses, 14s, and solicitor's fee of £1 Is, before the hearing of the case. A few minutes later Mr. Gillies returned to the Court and stated that in order to have the matter settled, his client, Henderson, had taken an / unusual step in paying the hearing fee. Hodgins then entered the witness box but soon Mr. Paterson stopped him, saying: "If you do not confine your evidence to your case I will have it struck out.'"

A number of questions to ascertain the grounds of the claim were asked by Mr. Paterson, Hodgins stating several times, that the stacks had been sold to defendant for £5. Mr. Paterson said: ''o.n your own admission you have no case, as you stated you sold the stacks for £5. Judgment is for defendant."