A. Breeze in Court

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 July 1916, Page 3

A. Breeze in Court

feUulUlOll AM) MAUlSlttA'itlS. (xYLinawatu Standard). An yesterday morning's sittings of the 'Magistrate's Court, at wliioh Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., presided, a case set down for, hearing was the defended action, South British insurance Company (Mr Oakley) and O. A. Jorgenseh, (Mr Hurley), a claim for £1 3s *2d, boing premium alleged to be due on an accident policy. The local manager of the South British Insurance Company (Mr K. Spencer) was wilder cross-exalhirtation I by Mr Hurley when his Worship observed that it was quite unncessnry to ask t'lc witness the same question more tli.iii once, as lie quite uiul 'rstoodi what Ilio witness had said. Mr Hurley maintained that he had a to question the witness in the inn uner which he liked. His \Vorship: You will do what L tell you. Will you please sit down Mr Hurley: You are taking advantage of your position. His, Worship: Look here, I'irl dwal with you. Mr Hurley: Well deal with me. His Worship (warmly): "Will you Jenvi;. the table and stand aside. 'Mr Hurley: I'll stand at the table. His Worship (to the Court bailiff): Bailff got a constable to remove Mr riurley. lam aorry that on my first visit to Palmerston 1 should be compelled to take such action. Mr Hurley, then retired from the solicitors' table, and other Court busine ■ , was proceeded with. At the conclusion of the business Mr Hurley was called upon by the Magistrate. * His Worship: Mr Hurley 1 charge you with contempt of court. Mr Hurley: 1 have been practising 26 years, and this is the first time J have had trouble or nrnundersta-nding with a magistrate. When you spoke to me I did not eit dow.n at once, or as hurriedly tis some men would do. Con-

tinning iMr Hurley said he liked to-soe matters going smoothly andl pleasantly and wao not trying to make trouble. His Worship said that such a statement was only fencing with tlhe matter; and if such conduct was going to be allowed how were they going to get on with the business or preserve the dignity of the Court P "I asked you to sit down and you should have done bo," said his "Worship. "I am responsible for What ia being transacted! here and I am the last man to be discourteous to anyone. [ nin not going to aSloiv people to say that- they can do as they like when I am presiding. No man of sense or experience would allow that. I gave you every chance to withdraw and apologise. I will not take any half measures, and if ,yon don't apologise 1 will take proceedings [am not going to allow anyone to run this Court, and when another man takes charge I will retire to the floor. ■ Mr Hurley: You don't suggest that I an trying to run the Court do you-?- , His Worship : Yes I do. Mr Hurioy: That is absurd. Hie Worship: Well, if you don't apologise I shall deal with you. ' Mr Hurley: Is that a threatP His Worship: 1 am not going to take any more talk of that kind. Will you apologize unrceorvedly or not? Mr Hurley repeated that he had been 2o years practising as a solicitor and the present was tlie first time that he had had any 'trouble. He simply had asked, a question and wanted to imprests it. Whe he was told to Bit down lie was going to do bo when he woa ordered to sit down. He did not, intend to be discourteous. His Worship: Tliat will not suit me. Mr Hurley: Well, what sort of apology do" you want? \ His Worship: I want a straight-out apology without any equivocation. Mr Hurley: Well, you won't get it. His Worship: You will be,fined! £2.'