“MOST IMPROPER.”

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18778, 28 October 1932, Page 6

“MOST IMPROPER.”

EMPLOYER’S BTRANQK CONDUCT. SECOND MAGISTRATE APPROACHED COUNSEL’S. OPINION NOT WANTEDThe action of a farmer In approaching another Magistrate (Mr F- W. Platts) in an endeavour to obtain his .influence with the presiding Magistrate, on an employee’s behalf, was strongly criticised by Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., In the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning. The case was one in which Richard E. Fox was charged with disobedience of a maintenance order. Fox bad been before the Court on several occasions, and the case was adjourned by His Worship to give defendant an opportunity of going Into a single men’s relief oamp. ( Mr E. F. Clayton-Greene to-day' told His Worship that he had hoped to have bis client’s employer present] to give evidence on behalf of Fox, 1 but unfortunately he had oontraoted influenza. He asked for a further adjournment. “ This is the man who has been talking to Mr Platts, trying to get him to put in a word for him with me,” His Worship remarked. Counsel: “I do not know about that.” His Worship: Well, I do'. Has he gone into camp yet—has he- made 'application to go?—No, sir. His Worship: I adjourned this case to enable him to apply for admission to a single men’s camp. Counsel: Fox’s employer, sir, Is perfectly satisfied with him and I think it would be a mistake to take this man from his- employment and place him in camp. It would not affect the amount of maintenance h 8 oould pay. Not Asking for Advlo*. His Worship: I am not asking for your opinion about the matter. If you want to give evidence you can go into the witness-box. Counsel drew the attention of the Bench to a letter written by complainant’s solicitor to the Maintenance Officer relating to the case, His Worship replying, after perusing it, that it was the result of Fox’s employer’s efforts to secure Mr Platts’ Intervention, “ What has Mr Platts got to dt> with it?” Mr Wilson wanted to know. “Mr Platts rang me up and told me that this man’s employer had gone to him and asked him to get a word in for him. It is a most improper procedure for anyone to approach a magistrate except through the Court," Mr Wilson added. Counsel pointed out that he hdped to have the employer in Court to give evidenoe, “Why is defendant not here?" Mr Wilson asked. Counsel explained that defendant had been unable to come to Court as he was In sole charge of the farm during his employer’s Illness. His Worship: “You ask, then, for an adjournment for a week to ha”' the employer here to give evldeno*' —Yes, sir. “ Extraordinary Conduct.” •His Worship comm'ented that th* reports about defendant were that he had been wasting his time in town and that was why he wanted to keep near town. “ However, I would like to see the employer and get his explanation for his extraordinary conduct in getting Mr Platts to approach me—a most improper procedure," added His-Worship. A week’s adjournment was granted. l ‘ 2