COURT SHOCKED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 355, 17 October 1932, Page 7

COURT SHOCKED

SERIES OF UNUSUAL INCIDENTS IN DIVORCE ACTION » DIGNITY OF JUDGE ABUSED Sydney, Saturday. A Supreme Court Judge, sitting in all his bewigged dignity on the bench, receiving a bow from a solicitor with a pipe in his mouth. It happened in the Divorce Court to day, and was one of a series of : unusual events in that court during the morning. First of all, Mr. Justice Boyce was ten minutes late taking his seat. This in itself was most unusual, as Mr. Justice Boyce has acquired a, reputation for strict punctuality. He apologised v/ith the explanation that he had been in consultation with other judges. Shortly afterwards a woman sat in court and took her hat off. A hatless woman in court is suificiently rare to bring stares of surprise from officials. Then the solicitor, carrying an overcoat and books, walked in. . Informed that his case would be heard later in the day, he placed his big cherrywood pipe in his mouth and gathered up his coat and books. He gave that time-honoured legal bow to the judge, with the pipe still in his mouth. Even Mr. Justice Bo>ee joined in the general smile. This series of incidents was capped when a married woman witness enter- . ed the box. "What was your name before marriage?" asked Mr. Kinsella. "Boyce," said the witness. "What?" said Mr. Justice Boyce. Mr. Kinsella: "Boyce." Witness "Yes, Bqyce." Mr. Justice Boyce: "Oh, Boyce!"