SCENE AT THE WATER POLICE COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4466, 13 July 1875, Page 3

SCENE AT THE WATER POLICE COURT.

(From the S. M. Herald,) On several occasions of late, the proceedings at the Water Police Court have assumed a somewhat extraordinary character, in consequence of the conduct of a member of the legal profession, and some very lively, if not very creditable, scenes have occurred. Yesterday morning, there was a repetition of one of these scenes, and the magistrates were compelled to act so that they might be spared a recurrence of the disturbances of which they have so often complained. The legal gentleman referred to, Mr. Yardy, was engaged by Captain Kennedy, of the Easby, to defend him in a case m which a seaman claimed

wages from : him. When this case had closed, the Bench reserved their decision; and a second case, in which the same captain was a defendant, was called on. . In this case also Mr. Yardy appeared for -the captain, but shortly after its commencement, the captain, not liking the manner in which his legal adviser had been and was conducting himself, intimated to him that he did not further require his advocacy, and engaged Mr. Bo we to appear for him instead. Mr. Yardy had then in his possession the ship’s articles and other papers connected with the case, but he refused to give them up until the captain paid him his fee. This the captain was willing to do, but some difficulty occurred through his wanting a receipt, which, under the circumstances, Mr. Yardy was unable to give him. Presently the captain managed to get hold of the papers while they were in Mr. Vardy’s hands, and a struggle between the two for possession took place. The Bench interfered, and Mr. Yardy thereupon walkedoutof the court carryingthe papers with him. The case could not be proceeded with, in the absence of the articles, and some delay ensued. But, as the articles had been exhibited iu the previous case, and were consequently in the custody of the Court, the previous case not having' been determined, a police officer was despatched after Mr. Yardy, to request him to return the articles. He returned in a littlo while, but refused to give up the articles until he received his fee from the captain, or unless the Bench would be responsible for the payment of it. Ho continued in his refusal, and a scene of disorder arose. The Police Magistrate was calling upon Mr. Yardy for the articles ; Mr. Yardy, at the top of his voice, was protesting, and referring the Bench to Eoscoe; a newspaper reporter, carried away by indignant excitement, was calling upon the Bench to sustain their dignity and quell the - disorder, and the “ public ” were jubilant behind the bar. The Police Magistrate at length put an end to the disturbance by informing Mr. Yardy that if he did not at once deliver up the articles, measures would ho adopted to compel him to do so. Mr. Yardy then, seeing that further resistance would probably result in hfe own discomfiture, handed

tlie articles to the Bench, with an intimation that he would hold their Worships responsible for the payment of his fee, unless they returned the article to him. Subsequently, the Police Magistrate, after the Bench had consulted privately for a few minutes, informed Mr. Vardy that, after the extraordinary and unseemly conduct of which he had been guilty, the Bench had determined that they would not hear him again in any case whatever, until he had made an ample and full apology, Mr. Vardy replied that he had no apology to offer, as he was unaware that he had transgressed any rule of forensic propriety. Several times afterwards, Mr. Vardy attempted to address the Bench, but he was informed that he could not be listened to.