LAWYER COMMITTED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9252, 30 November 1891, Page 2

LAWYER COMMITTED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT.

MR JELLICOE APPEALS AGAINST JUDGE KETTLE'S DECISION. At the District Court at Palmerston North, on Saturday, before Judge Kettle, Mr Jollicoe, barrister, of Wellington, -was charged with contempt of Court, in wilfully sen ing a telegram to the Clerk of the Court here, on tho 4th May last, in the following words — " Re Tapper, uwiko no mistake ; healing of petition was by consent taken yesterday, and wus adjourned. No fresh proceedings could isbiie pending result of decision. I hold you porsonully responsible for further irregularities." This telegram, it appears, was addressed to Mr W. A. Travers, who is Clerk of Court und was sent under tho following circumstances. On the 4th May, & bankruptcy petition yagiin.it

Tapper, came on for hearing boforo tho Clerk of tho Court at Pulmorston. Mr Jollicoo appeared for Tapper, and raised certain technical objections. iTho Clerk of tho Court reserved his decision on the points raised, until tho following morning. Mr Jollicoo loft for Wellington by tho ovoning train tlio bamo day, and boforo leaving, Mr Tiavors askod him as a favour to withdraw ho much of his objection as related to an admitted irregularity on his part. To this Mr Jellicoe assented. It camo out in evidence, that on going to his offico next morning, Mr Jellicoe found a telegram from Tapper,, stating that ho had just received another summons similar to the one previously sorvod with correction", rectifying the objectioos which had been taken. Tho issuo of tho second summons boforo tho reversed decision on tho bankruptcy petition was, Mr Jellicooiconsidered, an irregularity, and consequently, he sent the telegram complained of, Evidenco was given in support of the charge. Mr Jollicoe filed an affidavit in which he said that tho telegram complained of was sent solely as a communication between himself and Mr W. A. Travera individually to protect tho interests of Tapper against any further irregularity being committed for which W. A. Travers might bo held in law responsible, and without the least intention to insult the Court or to interfere with a proceeding in which Mr W. A. Travers was acting as a judicial officer. In answer to the Court, Mr Jellicoe said there was nothing to apologise for, and he protested against a matter which was upwards of six months old being raked up and twisted into conteniDt of Court. Judge Kettle read a lengthy judgment convicting Mr Jellicoe of contempt of Court, and fining him £10 ; in default, 14 days' imprisonment in the Wanganui gaol. Mr Jellicoe gave notice of appeal, and asked that proceedings should be stayed pending the hearing, which was granted.