DON'T GO TO LAW.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 132, 14 January 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

DON'T GO TO LAW.

A JUDGES ADVICE

Like a goo;! many other eminent judges. .Mr. Justice Bucknill, who died recently, sirongly advised people to keep tree, a> much as they poosibly could, of the law. which he once niuuiiicd up, as " brief and bamboozling." He once made some observat oils tn a plaintiff, whose attitude towards li:.s opponent was plainly bused on a sp.r.'t of extreme bitterness, which deserve permanent record. After closely listening to the evidence for some t mo, Mr. Justice Bucknill leaned forward over his desk and thus spoke with his < iractoristic kind'iness to the plaint ff : " 1 know a great deal 'more about the law than you do 1 have been in the law since D>(jS, am! I can tell you my experience is that if you can meet your enemy half-way. it is much better to do so than to fight to the b'tter end. even supposing you are right."

These words fell upon receptive ears, a conference took place between the parties concerned, and .-; satisfactory settlement who arranged. Thoroughly characteristic, too, were iiis remarks in the same von to n body of law students. "Do not encourage litigants," lie said. "Do not <gg on a man to tight: hut when you know he is ready, do not lot him draw hack. The lir.s't blow in boxing is a tolling one. To take the starch out of a man's collar at an early stage y ■ good rule. Do not do it unless it i nocos-ary: then let him have it. When your client's interests are at stake never give in; and when the bill is sent •n let it he moderate. We are all members of what I may call an unpopular profession. You are necessary i-vils. People cannot do without you. If a man in trouble goes to his solicitor :it an early date, and tells him'the truth, lie will not regret it. It : s the man who rushes into litigation because he wants to have a 'go' at the other fellow, and who very often loses, who is the first to turn, first on his solicitor then on h'.s counsel, then on the unfortunate judge."

Young Husliand. "What! You arc twentv-fivo years old to-day? Why, you told mo a year ago, just before the weddbig, tbnt you were only twenty." Young Wife (wearily) : "I liave aged rapidly since I married." Pon't interrupt n man when lie is telling you bis troubles. If you do. lie \v:'l start over again at tiic beginning. " ! must have bneked the wrong horse," said the amateur equestrian as he landed on the top of hi- hat in the road.