THE TWO COURTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8249, 23 February 1905, Page 3

THE TWO COURTS.

AN HOUR'S DELAY. a Very frequently witnesses and others engaged in Court cases become confused between the Police and Magistrate's Courts, and are often waiting in the vicinity of ono building when their attendance is required at the other. A singularly typical instance occurred at the Police Court this morning, when, after the Justices had dealt with one offending " drunk," two cases against a man and a woman of alleged perjury were called on. The accused, who were out on bail, failed to appear, and as it was stated that they were seen in the vicinity of the Court a little while previously. Constables were sen fa in search. Both the Magistrate's and the Police Court buildings were searched, but without success, and on/ the return of the officers the presiding Justices said tho members of the Bench were willing to wait till a more thorough investigation was made. Half an hour slipped by and various officers had returned without any definite clue^ and the interest in the matter was heightened when one "stated that the missing parties had been seen hastening down Durham Street towards the station. A further lapse of time caused a decidedly noticeable look of impatience to creep over the faces of those who were engaged in the case. It was stated that the sureties had been informed, and that they were actively engaged hurrying to and fro looking for the accused. The sureties, two well-known hotelkeepers, shortly arrived on the scene, and said that the accused had left their hotels in the morning to go to the Court. Sub-Inspector Dwyer suggested that unless they wanted their bail estreated they should at once bestir themselves. "Well, I've been running round in a cab for half-an-hour," replied one. " You'll be the sufferers, anyhow, and £50 is no light matter," said the Sub-Inspector. Mr Donnelly, counsel for the defence, then rose and said that while he had no sympathy for thie accused, in keeping the Court waiting, in the interests of those who had gone bail he ,would ask that the Court should) adjourn, as the position was doubtess due to the accused's lack of knowledge of where the case was to be heard. Sub-Inspector Dwyer said the Justices had no power to adjourn the Court, and. he would, if the accused did not shortly appear, ask that the bail should be estreated. The presiding Justice said the Bench was willing to accept the position, and wait. The Court again drowsed, Justices, witnesses^ counsel, and police officers engaged in re'minisoenee or " small talk," which was interrupted by a cry of "Here they are," and in came the missing man and woman. It appeared that they bad mistaken the Court, and had been waiting ,at the Supreme Court buildings. After an interval of threequarters of an hour the Court resumed.