MOST IMPROPER ACTION

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22492, 30 October 1944, Page 6

MOST IMPROPER ACTION

LETTER WRITTEN TO JUDGE ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE COURT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday “I think I should say that a letter was sent to me, which was not signed, but condemning in particular the wife of your client, criticising these divorce proceedings and suggesting that the co-respondent was being made use of by your client’s wife and, perhaps, by your client,” said Mr Justice Northcroft, addressing Mr H. J. Poison, counsel for the petitioner, during the hearing of an undefended divorce petition. “This letter, of course, was a very improper letter to have been written, being an attempt to influence the Court,” added His Honour. “The matter was investigated and it was found by fhe police that the letter had*been written by a relative of the co-respondent. Neither the respondent nor the co-respondent had filed an answer nor indicated any intention to defend* and in these circumstances this letter was really the more improper. However, the person who wrote it was, perhaps, not appreciative of the extent of the wrong-doing involved, and accordingly I directed the police to take no further action about it.

“I thought it proper, however, to mention to you that this letter had come and what has been done in the hope that this public reference to it will prevent other people trying to influence the Court in this irregular way. It necessarily follows that no blame attaches in the slightest degree to your client, because, if anything, the letter was directed against his interests and a desire to prevent a divorce, so that it is not necessary to indicate your client, still less you yourself, had. anything whatever to do with it.

“I merely make the announcement publicly,” concluded His Honour, “because it is proper that the impropriety of writing a letter of this sort should be made known.”