§654-4 Examination of defendant. When it appears by the return of the officer to whom the order was issued that the property claimed has been disposed of or concealed so that the order cannot be executed, the court, upon motion and affidavit, may compel the attendance of the defendant or any other person to examine the defendant or other person on oath as to the situation of the property, and may punish a wilful hindrance to, or obstruction or disobedience of, any order of the court as a contempt. [L Sp 1949, c 7, pt of §1; RL 1955, §244-24; HRS §654-25; am L 1972, c 90, §1(d); ren HRS §654-4; gen ch 1985]