YOUNG WOMAN WITNESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 148, 25 June 1931, Page 11

YOUNG WOMAN WITNESS

: ALLEGATION AGAINST FATHER. I [ AV ARNING FROM MAGISTRATE. L Per Press Association. | WELLINGTON, June 24. i Quite a senstion was caused at the ; Magistrate’s Court during the hearing of the case against two women when Sub-Inspector Ward, who was conducting the prosecution for the police, told the Magistrate, Air Page, S.M.. that a witness who had given evidence, Mrs Corley, a (laughter of Airs Burton, had, after leaving the Court, been molested by her father, who said she had no right to give evidence. He was also reported to have told her that she would suffer for it afterwards. It appeared that her father, who had been at the back of the Court, had been shaking his fist at her while she was in the witness box. That was perhaps the reason why she had been so reluctant to answer certain questions. Air Weltzer, who appeared for Mrs Burton: “I understand the father is not the present husband of accused. They arc divorced, I believe.” Sub-Inspector Ward to Mr Page: “He is in the prisoners’ room now.” Air Page: “Have hitri brought here.” “I got a surprise to see her coming here to the Court to-day,” said the girl’s father when he appeared before the Magistrate. “When she was walking along to get in the box I just put up my hand.” Air Page: “If what the police say is correct, you are guilty first of all of contempt of court, for which you are liable for imprisonment, and if it is true that you have threatened this girl in any way you are liable to be charged with an offence indictable under the Crimes Act for interfering with the. conduct of a Court of Justice. I will instruct that if there is any evidence of that interference, or of the slightest repetition, I will direct the police to prosecute you. Tiie father then attempted to make a further explanation, but the Magistrate quickly ordered him to stop.