A STORMY SCENE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11505, 10 February 1909, Page 5

A STORMY SCENE.

LAWYER FINED FOR CONTEMPT

STATES HE WILL NOT PAY

(Per Press Association.)

. AUCKLAND, last night. A story scene m the Police Court this afternoon culminated m Mr W. ,E. Hackett, a' younger member of tlie bar, being fined by Mr Dyer, S.M. £5 for) contempt of Court. Mr Hackett Avas appearing for respondent m an applica r tion - for judicial separation. The evidence \had been! taken and the Magistrate Avas reviewing the case .when^eoun? sel rose , to make some remarks. . He A\'as told to sit doAvn, and on rising again was^ informed that m summary cases counsel only had the right to an opening address. Mr Hackett said: I have a statement to- make. X x <;. ■

The'. Magistrate,:' It .doesn't matter. You have to sit doAvn.

Mr Hackett: I onlj*Avant— — The Magistrate (Warmly) : Sit down. Mr Dyer continued to refer to the eA-idence, when Mr Hackett again rose/ and Avas once more told to sit doAvn. Mf Hackett did so, but presently was o^ his feet again; when Mr Dyer told, the Court attendant to take him into cus^ tody. When the cafe had jeonclufled Mf Hackett Was brought before theoC^urt to shpAV cause... After., a smart .passage of arms the Magistrate imposed .i fine of I£s for contempt of Court, adding that if it Avere not paid within ;a" Aveek Mr Hackett Avould iiave to go to gaol for i seven days. V > '. . .. " . } X\li Hackett: I may say, Avith all du^ resp^ct>, that I shall never pay that fine": *' Auckland, this day. x At the Police Court this morning, J^f Hackett, solicitor, _who was placed m custody yesterday |orY r «llegedr contempt of Court, by Mr Dyer, iS.M.. for refusing to sit down when, ordered to. do &to', applied r for an. adjoupnient; ar»d bail. , iii order to ' consult «sehior counsel. ' Tbis was refused ' most emphatically by 'tbe MigistrAtejO despite Hr Hackett's persist^ ent. and strenuous" protest, 3|Tr.Dye.r ev^btiially saying: 'T convict you of coiir tempt of. court, and 1 fine you £5. If -the fine . ia jnpt . paid within one Aveek, yoii AAullgo'to gaol for seyen days." Hacket^ replied: "i niay say this, m, no disre : spect, I -will not pay that fine." Mr Dyer:, It is a matter of perfect indiP ferenpe to me. Jtepiying to further remarks, Mr Dye); said tliat an application for. a rehearing couldl be made m the usual way. 1 n-i r