"YES, YOUR WORSHIP"
A LESSON IN COURT ETIQUETTE MAGISTRATE IS NOT A JUDGE It is hoped that the necessity will never arise for readers to put into practise this lesson on Magistrate's Court etiquette but as the probability of witnessing an accident or being involved in proceedings cannot be entirely dismissed the lesson is justified. In the first place, a Stipendiary Magistrate is addressed as "Yoiu Worship" or referred to as "His Woi ship" and it was the failure of several defendants at the last Magistrate's Court sitting that prompted this article, A Maori, presumably influenced by the cinema, addressed Mr Walton as 'Judge', when he requested the services of an interpreter and a pakelia defendant laker in the day promoted trate to Supreme Court rank when he said, "Yes, your Honor." Another point that should be noted is that when in the witness-box and asked for name, a witness should always give full christian and surnames. Yet another is that it is necessary to be properly dressed. Two months ago a defendant Avalked nonchalantly into court in his shirt sleeves. A reprimand was immediately forth coming from the Bench. Then the plea. Frequently, when the Clerk lias read the charge and asked, "How do you plead?" the answer has been a stare of incomprehension and the question lias had to be repeated. It should be remembered also that the question is not the signal for eloquence in defence. That opportunity comes later and all that is required in answer is either 'guilty' or 'not guilty.'
"HORSE-SENSE" LAUGHTER IN COURT JUDGE'S COMMENT "While people will always call it the off-side. or the near-side of a horse, or of a cart, they will never do it Avith a motor car," said Mr Justice -Blair in the Supreme Court at Wanganui. "Why, I don't know. It would make it so much more simple if they did, but they always s>ay the driver's side or the side opposite the driver. If they said port or starboard it- would be much better." I Mr C. J. O'Regan,, of Wellington, who appeared for the plaintiff, said he was afraid he would not know What the near or the off side of a horse was. "That is because you are an amateur," his Honour said. "The near side of a horse is the side you get on from. \ r ou don't get on from the off side—that is, the right-hand side. If you do, they laugh at you; you are an amateur."' I Mr O'Regan: I am afraid I must be!
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19400918.2.43
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 214, 18 September 1940, Page 8
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425"YES, YOUR WORSHIP" Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 214, 18 September 1940, Page 8
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