Quite Right.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 15 October 1891, Page 2

Quite Right.

The report of the controversy between a Judge of the Supreme Court, sitting at New Plymouth, and a solicitor appearing in the case, as reported in the Taranaki Herald, is most satisfactory. The determined stand the Judge took, and his comments upon the peculiar action of the solicitor, will meet with the approval of every person who has had to listen to the manner in which that solicitor, at times, conducts j himself to the witness under cross- ! examination. In our local Court j we had an instance a few weeks ago, and we were surprised that our worthy Resident Magistrate had not uttered reproof to the solicitor, instead of to the witness. Judge Conolly acted up to his statement that " I'll not be trifled with by you," and at each step endeavoured to let the solicitor know that he meant it, until he uttered the caution " Don't say that you will do anything in spite of me, or I'll commit you for contempt of Court." This had a satisfactory effect, as the report states that the solictor wound up his address in about five minutes. We have no wish to add anything to this solicitor's regret, as we believe in what His Honor said, " That he could hardly believe the learned counsel was conscious of the way he attacked witnesses and persons, and the disrespect he showed to the Court." It is time, however, that those who act similarly to him should understand that such conduct will j not be permitted, and that Courts J are bound to defend witnesses from the insults heaped upon them, and that the dignity of the Court can only be maintained by such practices being repressed by strong and deter mined action on the part of the presiding officer. The public will be only too willing to uphold those who wilL#hus properly exercise the powers with which they are endowed.