AFFILIATION CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 57

AFFILIATION CASE.

EX-CONSTABLE THE DEFENDANT. (Fnnii Oca Own Com- espon dent.) OAMABD, July 1. The affiliation case brought against exConstable John Johnston came before the court again to-day in a peculiar manner. When it was previously called, Mr Ongley, who appeared for the plaintiff, did not -offer any evidence, and the case was struck out. There had been a settlement, but the plaintiff subsequently became, dissatisfied with this, and wanted Mr Ongely to take fresh proceedings, but he told her she had better get another solicitor. She then went to Mr Hjorring, and he took proceedings. According to Mr Hjorring’s statement in court to-day, plaintiff later on went to him and repudiated what had been done, and he did not consider that he was now acting in the matter. The plaintiff’s mother, in reply to Mr Bartholomew, S.M., said that a settlement had been made without reference to the solicitor. . . ,

The Magistrate, while fully exonerating the solicitors, said that the conduct of the parties had been very suspicious. It seemed to him that an improper use had been made of the court proceedings, and he would instruct the clerk of the court that no further proceedings were to be taken in the case without reference to himself.