CONTEMPT OF COURT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2311, 13 August 1880, Page 3

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

The “ Pacific Weekly *’ (Sydney), in a well-written sketch of the career of Sir Alfred Stephen, ex-Chicf Justico of New South Wales, tells the story of the first contempt case before the Colonial Courts “ Thirty years ago, in a highly litigated cause tried before Sir Alfred, two eminent counsel, both intimate friends of the Judge, were retained on opposite sides. One of them in the course of his address to the jury made frequent reflections and comments upon the other, culminating at length in a direct charge of falsehood. On the instant the gentlemen so aspersed struck the other once or twice in the face rapidly with a brief held in las hand, and lie who received the blow immediately sprang towards his assailant in a sparring attitude. Sir Alfred called to the bystanders to prevent further outrage, and, with extraordinary self-command, paused for a minute or two in dead silence. He then asked if counsel wished to say anything more to the jury, and receiving an answer in the negative, ho ordered the two gentlemen to remain in Court. He summed up, occupying in his charge about threequarters of an hour, and on the jury retiring he left the Court. The jury returned with their verdict, aud as soon as it was recorded, Sir Alfred committed both the counsel to gaol, one for four weeks and the other for six weeks, the heavier punishment being awarded to the counsel whose intemperate expressions had occasioned the fracas. The episode, as may bo imagined, created a groat sensation. The offending gentlemen were taken to Darlinghurst, and when the Court rose Sir Alfred followed and called upon them both, remonstrating with them upon the painful nature of the position in which he had been placed. In a few days, with his consent, both gentlemen were relascd.”