A WELLINGTON SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 282, 7 December 1901, Page 3

A WELLINGTON SCANDAL.

ATTACK ON A JUSTICE. HE MAKES NO REPLY. (Special to Times.) Wellington, last night. Some comment is being occasioned by an incident which occurred in the local Magistrate’s Court a day or two ago, and certainly seems a proper matter for investigation at the hands of the Justice Department, or some other authority. When a certain case was called one of the leading lawyers representing one of the parties, naming a certain member of the Bench of Justices, said he had no confidence in his jurisdication, and would prefer to settle the matter privately with opposing counsel than havo it adjudicated upon by the Justice whom he referred to. Tho opposing counsel went one better, and made a vigorous attack on tho justice, whom ho accused of disgraceful conduct in connection with a case just disposed of, and mado a number of accusations.

The Justice attacked made no attempt to defend himself against the accusations of dishonorable conduct which were hurled at him by counsel, and the Bench took no action in the matter. The question is being asked why the Justice whose conduct and impartiality wero impungod did not defend himself from the imputations if untruo, or, if they wore not justified, why the Court did not commit the legal gentlemen who made the statements for contempt of Court ?