JUDGE ABUSED IN HIS OWN COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3113, 18 June 1917, Page 7

JUDGE ABUSED IN HIS OWN COURT

■ *_ EXTRAORDINARY SCENE. An extraordinary scene occurred in tho Equity Court in Sydney recently, when Kr. Alfred Conroy, who contested tho Parramatta seat in opposition to Mr. Joseph Cook, made an attack on the presiding Judge (Mr. J-ustico Simpson). Tho action being heard was ono in which Mr. Conroy was proceeded against by his wife with, respect to tlie ownership of certain land. When. His Honour refused an. application for adjournmont, counsel for defendant (Mr. Lo'xton, K.C.) withdrew from the caeo. Mr. Cooroy then took his position at tlio barristers' table vacated by Mr. Losion, and, addressing the Judge, said: I ask that Your Hononr will not sit in thiß notion, becaueo Your Hononr has -reached a etago of lifo whon it is impossible for you to romomDer in tho afternoon what has taken, place in tho morning. Your Honour is not fit to sit, at your time of life, on a big caso like this. You are not even able to recogniso thnt matters of public interest aro at 6tnke. If you sit in this matter I do not think your recollection will bo cleaT enough to' enable you to .decide betweon mo and the plaintiff. It is a painful thing for me to have to say, but I say it in the public interest. Mi. Justice Simpson maintained silence, and Mr. Conroy continued: This action is l>eiug forced on at tho present time becauso I am oogaged in au election campaign. Iβ it fair to tens of thousands of electors that I should be debarred from placing my views before tho country?

Mr. Brown, who appeared for the plaintill', raid that lie regretted that His Honour had to listen to such gratuitous insult.

Mr. Justice Simpson: I cannot luko iiotico of what Mr. Conroy has said. Mr. Conroy (eseitedly): An injusticn will be done me if the case goes on. I nm sorry lo havo to do what I havo (lone.

Mr. Justice Simpson: pon't express any sympathy for me. 1 doir't think that tho grounds for further adjournment are sufficient.

Later, Mr. Justice Sinrpson left the Court, refusing to hear Mr. Conroy further.

When the Court was reopened at 2 p.m.,. Mr. Conroy at onco fiaid: I will reeunio my arfrntnent. Mr. Justice Simpson: You har v o finished.

Mr. Conroj: You have a. maggot in your brain. ' I am entitled to say it. sepins your mental condition. Ton aro p declared conscriptionis!.; I am an anficonscriptionißl. It is not liVcly I would bo lieard in t.liis Court wit.h favour. This ie the last, act of your carper. Ton are going lo retire, but not. with honour. Mr. Owiroy l.hen left the Comt, nnd the licarinp of tlie caso was proceeded with.