WITNESS STOOD DOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 7

WITNESS STOOD DOWN

INCIDENT IN PATEA COURT CASE. “I’LL PUT SOME QUESTIONS.” Difficulty was experienced in the Patea Magistrate’s Court yesterday with a witness in a case dealing with the liability for the carriage of the furniture of his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Finally he was stood down by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M. t i Witness, who was called by the plaintiff developed such argumentative qualities that the magistrate was constrained to call him a fool. He was disposed to argue with plaintiff’s counsel and spoke so quickly that his words were almost unintelligible. While being cross-exam-ined, Beer gave few satisfactory answers, going into long speeches after any question.

To clear the situation Mr. Salmon put several questions, the »climax coming when he said, “I only want the truth. Just answer my question.”

Beer, who with hair down to his shoulders presented an unusual figure in court, immediately retorted, “All right, I’ll answer your questions now, and then I’ll put some.” Both the magistrate and opposing counsel immediately gave him up, and Beer was stood down with his evidence uncompleted.