AN IMPORTANT LINK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2192, 29 March 1880, Page 3

AN IMPORTANT LINK.

Mr Watt E.M., still has something to learn in the way of “ case law.” In Butler’s case he is said to have remarked, “ I never saw a pair of boots being examined on a prisoner before, or even heard of such a thing.” Wo arc reminded of a case of alleged murder by two Chinamen who were tried about 20 ago in Melbourne for the murder of Sophia Lewis. One of the witnesses who had seen Chinamen about the premises swore to the identity of one of the prisoners. In the course of a warm cross-examina-tion he mentioned that the heathen wore patent leather. When counsel came to address the jury for the defence he made this his trump card, and poured out the demijohns of his ridicule upon the man who had represented a Chinaman as wearing “ shiny leather boots.” Just as he was about concluding this triumphant criticism, a voice, like the voice of Weller sang out from the gallery, “Why he’s got them on now!” There was a great stir in Court, counsel stopped short, and looked uncomfortable. There was some awkward whispering, and finally Mr Justice Barry called out- —“Mr Gaoler, have the goodness to look at the prisoner’s boots, and report to the Court.” The examination led to a confirmation of the observation. Counsel had to pick up a new theme and start afresh, but the fate of that Chinaman is a matter of history which may be learned from any of his countrymen in the southern hemisphere to this day.—Dunedin “ Times.”