A Supreme Court Scene. S

Manawatu Herald, 13 August 1896, Page 3

A Supreme Court Scene. S

■» There was another- scene in the Supreme Court on Tuesday morning between the Chief Justice and Mr Jellicoe. While Sergeant Cullen wa3 giving evidence against exDetective Kirby, Mr Jellicoe stated that the witness had made a different statement on the previous day in regard to a sum of money Kirby had shown him (the witness) on a certain occasion at Timaru, and counsel added, " Your evidence is not correct." The Chief Justice at once interrupted Mr Jellicoe and said with considerable warmth, " Mr Jellicoe, how dare you discredit a witness to the jury. It is a most' improper thing for you to say." Mr Jellicoe said he was sorry, to which the Chief Justice warmly replied, "I don't believe you are sorry. You are grossly misconducting yourself as a counsel." Mr Jellicoe said he regretted it very much, but what he had said was what he had heard the witness say. The Chief Justice : "Mr Jellicoe, I don't believe you." Sir James Prendergast went on to say that he was not misunderstanding Mr Jelli- , coe. and he was stating his belief that what Mi- Jellicoe had stated to the jury, was untrue. What the witness had told the jury wa3 that the amount was £800 or more. Mr Jellicoe : Your Honor has misunderstood me. The Chief Justice said that the matter had gone quite far enough, and he did not want to hear any more of it. He had had to mention to counsel, and Mr Jellicoe in particular, again and again, that it was most improper to make misleading statements of this kind before the jury. It was most improper, and very distressing for the Judge to have continually to take notice of these statements. The incident was closed by the Chief Justice remarking : " I am not disposed to make any further observations, Mr Jellicoe."