REFUSAL TO ANSWER

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 7

REFUSAL TO ANSWER

YOUNG WOMAN’S STAND. SWOON FOLLOWS WARNING. ” Dunedin, Oct. 12. An incident with a dramatic aspect occurred in the Dunedin Magistrate s Court, when a young woman who did not wish to answer questions put to her by counsel dropped in a swoon. Witness was appearing as defendant in a case in which a city drapery firm claimed to recover an amount for goods sold and delivered. Witness was questioned about her income . and expenditure by the solicitor acting for the plaintiff company. The cross-examination had proceeded along the usual lines for a short while, when witness abruptly refused to answer some of the questions asked. After being reminded that she must answer, she still withheld the required information. “You must answer the questions put to you,” said the magistrate, Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, “otherwise your action will be treated as contempt of Court and will result in your being placed in custody.”

“Knowing that, I still decline to answer,” replied witness. The magistrate then allowed the case to stand down for a few minutes while defendant’s counsel took her away to reason with her, in an endeavour to change her decision. Upon being recalled to the witness box, she proceeded to answer further questions satisfactorily, but shortly afterwardsresorted to her former attitude and said: “I refuse to answer that.” Again she was reminded of the consequences of her attitude and, after standing .silent for a few seconds, she dropped backwards to- the floor. She was hastily picked up and carried to a seat at the back of the Court, where she commenced to weep loudly. The case was adjourned until Tuesday.