Pernoctation.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 April 1911, Page 4

Pernoctation.

In Dublin the other day (says tho Daily Telegraph of February 13), during the heaving of the case of tho King against tho County Court judges awl justices of Cork, which involves a question as to tho description of premises required in a notice under' the licensing Acts, counsel quoted 911 English judge as laying stress upon tho "place of pernoctation." Whereupon there ensued the °Lord' Chief JueticoJ>'Brien—That is a great word, I must say. I never knew that there was such a word. Mr Justice Wright—Oh, yes; there is. , Lord O'Brien—l ask ray brother Madden, who is the great authority on English, has he ever heard of it? Mr Justice Madden—No. Lord O'Brien—l have grave doubts about it when my brother Madden has not heard it.

Mr Justice Madden, iaving reinforced himself uritli and consulted a ponderous dictionary, said, ''.Y«e, here it is. It means 'passing the night,' and—this accounts for our brother Wright's knowledge of it— is a word especially hi ecclesiastical use, meaning spending the night in prayer." (Loud laughter.) Mr Justice Wright, smiling modestly, rejoined:—l am much obliged to my 'brother Madden. Tims do tiro judges of (his Majesty's Court of King's Bench in Ireland u gleok" uponi occasion."