JUDGES' JOKES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 239, 5 January 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

JUDGES' JOKES.

NEW STORIES OF THE BAR There are more good stories in " Legal Life and Humour," by Joseph Heighton. published by Messrs Hodder and Stoughton, than in any other book of 318 pages. Mr. Heighton must have been collecting them for years and seems to have taken special pains about those relating to living celebrities. , Mr. Justice Darling naturally leads off the ball. It was at Exeter Assizes, we are told, that the following incident occurred: Mr Justice Darling (examining the 'original correspondence in a breach of promise action : Mr. H , w ; hat do these hieroglyphics at the bottom of the letter mean? ]H r- H . Oh, in that sort jt letter, my lord, those crosses arc supposed to represent kisses. Mr. Justice Dan-ling: Indeed. In the part of the country I come from we call it treble X, and it refers to l>eer. The same humorist once had a sly dig at Mr. F. E. Smith, K.C. Mr. Justice Darling, on getting out of a taxicab at the Law Courts, grazed his shin against the door, and having to send for some ointment, was consequently late in taking his seat on the bench. On entering the court he apologised m the jury for having kept them waiting, on which- Mr. F: E. Smith expressed the hope that it was "nothing serious." To .which the Judge replied: "Thank you, Mr. Smith, no; there will be no vacancy at present." Mr. Justice Eve once.used his own name to provoke a hearty laugh. A witness was asked a question, and ho replied: "I know no Inpre than Adam." "Or Eve," quietly remarked the Judee. . Perhaps one of the best stories told of Lord Robson is that concerning an incident which occurred, shortly after he had been appointed Attorney-Gen-eral in 1908. One day he entered a smoking-room at the House of Commons in a state of great enthusiasm. Seeing a friend sitting there with another gentleman, Sir William remarked to him that Mr. Lowther was quite the best Speaker under whom he had Noticing that the friend was rather quiet, Sir William inquired what was the matter, and the answer came in a stage iwhisper: "Be careful -what you say; that is Mr. Gully with me!" The Attorney-General Seal!' Meeting another friend walking along the corridor he remarked to him:' "I fear I have put mv foot in it dreadfully. I said to that the present Speaker was the liest I ever sat under, and there was the late Speaker's son sitting, a yard off me!" "Well, Robson," said the friend, "I don't know that you have made things much better. Allow me to introduce Mr. Peel!" Here is a quaint little anecdote ot Reading. The Lord Chief Justice entered Parliament for Reading in 1904, but some years, previously he tried to get on to the floor of the House ot Commons when members were sitting by circumventing the "bobby" who guards the entrance in Palace Yard. By putting on an air of authority and boldly marching past the constable he managed to deceive-the man in blue for a moment. The latter, however, detected the ruse a second or two later, and overtaking the member of the Junior Bar—as his lordship then was—confronted him with the question: "Excuse me, sir, but are you a member?' "Not yet," was the reply; "but 1 going to be soon." "1 hope you will, sir," quietly responded the policeman, "but meanwhile would you mind going round the other way?" , , The i "meanwhile" lasted' twelve years.