ANOTHER SNUB FROM HIS HONOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2460, 5 February 1881, Page 3

ANOTHER SNUB FROM HIS HONOR.

At the conclusion of the case Lawson and another v. Meek and another, at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, oh Friday; Mr Denniston,-for the defendants, lose to reply; but Mr Stout objected, and submitted that Mr Denniston had no right of reply. Mr Justice Johnston said th'at he understood Mr Denniston would have the opportunity of making further ob-

serrations, and that was why he took no notice of the constant interruptions during the argument. Mr Denniston—l object to the phrase “ constant interruptions ” now as your Honor did not draw attention to them at the time. Mr Justice Johnston: It seems to me that upon some occasions the position and relations between judge and counsel are. entirely lost sight of. I can only say that the interruptions were so constant as regards the facts that I could not get my mind applied to them. I have not said.anything to annoy you in the slightest degree. One reason my attention was distracted by the interruptions was that I thought it was understood when the question of who was to begin was talked a bout, thatin the event of anything being raised by Mr Stout which required a reply, you should have it. Mr Denniston—Your Honor has no cause now to make reference to constant interruptions, of which no notice was taken at the time. Mr Justice Johnston —I did not take notice, but I might have interrupted you 10 times. Ido not wish to have any more discussion this time. It is very unbecoming both to the Court and to the counsel,and I will not be drawn into it. lam struggling in vain to get at the facts, and it is perfectly right that counsel should call attention to them. Do not misunderstand me. I do not wish to say anything in the slightest degree offensive to you. I have been on the Bench 22 years, and I consider it more strongly desirable than ever to exercise the proper powers of the Judge. I do not permit answers to Mr Denniston—There are rights of the bar as well as the Bench, and I will Mr Justice Johnston—You are now going too far, and I will not allow it. Mr Denniston then wished to know if he might make some further explanations in regard to the case. Mr Justice Johnston—lf my brother Judge will allow it. Mr Justice Williams—Oh yes. Mr Denniston then replied to argu ments of counsel for the other side, and the case closed.

Their Honors reserved judgment,