CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19010, 5 November 1923, Page 9

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE JURYMAN. A HEAVY FINE IMPOSED. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 5. In the Supreme Court to-day the lull Bench dealt further with the case of Nash v. Nash, ex parte Cobb, an application for committal to prison or attachment for an alleged attempt to influence a juryman during the course of the hearing of a petition for judicial separation. Wnen the case was called this morning Mr O’Regan said that Cobb now admitted that he had spoken to a juryman. Mr iioggard, w r ho appeared in support of the application for attachment, said there was no desire that Cobb should bo imprisoned. Mr Justice Salmond thereupon delivered the decison of the court, during the course of which he said that, although there had been no attempt at bribery, yet a serious offence had been’ committed, in that an attempt had been mad© by Cobb to influence tne verdict of the jury. There had been wilful contempt of court, and he must regard the offence as serious. Cobb would be fined £SO, and ordered to pay £ls costs. A w.rjt of attachment wen id be issued to the sheriff, directing him to ha,c the body of Cobb brought before the court. This writ, however, would be in the office for 14 days and if payment of the fine and costs was made execution would not issue.