CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14205, 6 February 1915, Page 6

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Friday.

At the Polico Court to-day, William Edward John Maguiro was charged with threatening behaviour in Rattray Street on January sth, whereby a breach of tho peaco was occasioned. After this case had beon hoard, the Magistrate instructed tho polico to lay an information against Johnathan Alexis O'Brien for using insulting wordfl in a public placo with intent to provoko a breach of tho peaco. It was alleged that O'Brien had beon struck by Maguire after tho latter had been provoked. Maguiro was called as tho principal witness to givo evidence against O'Brien, but declined to do so, and after numerous opportunities had boon given him by tho Magistrato to reconsider his decision, was finally committed to prison for seven days for contempt of Court.

In giving his decision in the case against Maguiro, the Magistrate said that considerable provocation had been given, and he finod accused 10s, or 24 hours' imprisonment. Tho of the trouble was a discussion over Bible in schools, Maguiro being a Social Democrat and a candidate for Dunedin West at tho General Election.