COURT SCENES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 899, 23 May 1903, Page 3

COURT SCENES.

FROM TIIE RICHARDSON LIBEL TRIAL. The following are passages from the report of file Auckland libel case heard a few days ago

Mr Tuie said His Honor had given the two indulgence beyond that usually given to counsel. The accused had told the Court that the pleas were drawn up by a skilled lawyer. His Honor said accused were at a disadvantage in arguing against a gentleman of Mr Tole’s ability, but he could not help this.

Richardson at this stage asked for a copy of the Criminal Code Amendment Act of 1901, which was supplied to him. Richardson, in reply, referred to^ the “ very elaborate ” arguments of Mr Tole, and to the “ extraordinary list ” of authorities he had quoted. Ha (accused) desired to point out tiiat Mr Toie was endeavoring to get him convicted on a technicality, and not on ail honest, straight-out fight on tiie issues. He submitted that Ilis Honor would never lie a party to allowing a gentleman in the position of the Crown Prosecutor to do such an un-English thing. His Honor told accused that it was not for him to indulge in declaration, but to show ids ease in law.

Accused replied that he had not a library such as the learned counsel possessed. He trusted that His Honor would act as his (accused’s) learned counsel. The laughter that greeted this last remark made His Honor’s reply almost inaudible, but ho was understood to say that he was sitting as judge and could not also aet as counsel.

Accused said he always thought that tho Court administered justice fairly and impartially and that it poor men who could not employ counsel came before the Court His Honor would see that no unfair advantage was taken of them by learned counsel.

His Honor said he had seen nothing unfair in Mr Tole’s argument. Continued on page 4.