COURT SENSATION

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1935, Page 6

COURT SENSATION

HELD FOR CONTEMPT SERGEANT AT WESTPORT POLICE FILE WITHHELD EVENTUALLY PRODUCED By Telegraph—Press Association. ♦ Westport, Last Night. A mild sensation was caused in the Supreme Court to-day during the hearing on a claim for damages resulting from- a motor collision. Constable George, giving evidence concerning measurements in the vicinity of the accident, was asked to produce a file, but refused to do so, saying he was acting on instructions from a superior officer. Mr. Justice Northcroft ordered that the file be produced for the afternoon sittings, and that a subpoena be served. It was stated later that Sergeant J. McIntyre refused to give the constable the file. When giving evidence himself the sergeant did not accede to His Honour’s request to hand the file over. The sergeant stated that he was acting on instructions from the inspector at Greymouth in charge of the West Coast district. His Honour warned the sergeant of the likelihood of his being held for contempt of court, but the officer remained obdurate. Finally, after the sergeant had concluded his evidence, His Honour ordered that he be held during the sitting of the court for contempt, but permitted him to go to the police station to telephone headquarters at Wellington. About 1J hours later Sergeant Mclntyre, acting on advice from headquarters, handed over the file and His Honour considered the matter closed.