Public Prosecutor v Willy [1944] VUNHJC 16; Civil 721 (14 December 1944)

JOINT COURT OF THE NEW HEBRIDES

Judgment No. 721.

The fourteenth day of December one thousand nine hundred and forty-four,

Before their Honours:

Y. GESLIN, French Judge, President,
A.H. EGAN, British Judge,

and Messrs

R. GUICHARD, Assessor,
M. CORNETTE, Public Prosecutor "ad hoc"

assisted by

E. BUTERI, Acting Registrar.

This is a charge brought against WILLY a native of Fila Island, 29 years of age, sergeant in the British Division of New Hebrides Constabulary and living at Vila.

He is accused of having at Vila on the 15th October 1944 publicly insulted the French Government, this being a breach of Article 33 of the French law of 29th July 1881.

The accused was heard in his defence as put forward by himself and the Native Advocate ad hoc, the evidence of witnesses was taken and the Public Prosecutor ad hoc having delivered his address, the Court then considered its judgment.

JUDGMENT

The written and oral evidence provides sufficient proof that the native WILLY did at Vila on 15th October 1944 publicly insult the French Government particularly by saying "The New Hebrides are British now and it is only they who govern. The French are bastards", this being a breach of Articles 30 and 33 of the French law of 29th July 1881,

ON THESE GROUNDS,

The said WILLY is convicted of the offence with which he is charged and is sentenced to pay a fine of five hundred francs with costs 10/6 sterling.