A SCENE IN COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4011, 18 August 1915, Page 6

A SCENE IN COURT.

CHIEF ACTORS IN AFFILIATION CASE COME TO BLOWS. COMPLAINANT SLAPS DEFENDANT’S FACE. The hearing of an affiliation case at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning was marked by some highly melodramatic incidents. _ The complainant, Annie Lovo, and the defendant, August Zenker, had previously figured in Court in a civil action concerning the same child. Mr Burnard appeared for the complainant, and Mr Dawson for defendant. I The complainant, in her evidence, > stated that she had no doubt that do- 1 fondant was the father of the child, j which was four years of ago. She admitted Inuring boon married five years ago, but said her husband had only lived with her for a fortnight. She had acted as housekeeper for defendant for about seven years. Cross-examined by Mr Dawson, complainant admitted that she had three illegitimate children, but when questioned as to bow many men she had misconducted herself with she stoutly refused to answer. Mr-IV. A. Barton, S.M.: You must answer the questions. Witness: I will not. Jiis Worship again told the witness that she must answer, and asked Mr Dawson to put the question once more. His Worship: Now that is a pertinent question and you must answer | it. The witness remained stubbornly silent. His Worship: f call on you to answer the, question, Are you going to do so f Witness (in a defiant voice): No! His Worship: Very well; you bad better leave the box if you are not going to answer oucstions put to you. Complainant came smartly down from the witness-box, and going up to defendant dealt him a sounding slap in the face. Mr Dawson asked that the complaint be dismissed. His Worship said lie would give Mr Burnard a chance to consult bis client but complainant inarched from the Court, declaring she would not answer such questions. Mr Burnard thereupon stated tfiat be would withdraw from the case, ami Mis Worship thereupon dismissed the complaint. A further lively scrimmage occurred in the passage way as soon as defendant issued from tnc Court room. The complainant, who was in a highlyexcited state, savagely attacked the defendant, who pushed her off. and then sought refuge behind Constable Butterworth. who calmly restored order. Complainant openly signified her intention of ‘doing” for defendant, whom she referred to in language which was a good deal more forcible than oolite.