A TRIP TO ENGLAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 277, 20 November 1914, Page 7

A TRIP TO ENGLAND.

MR FOOKES ON TOUR. (Continued;

Mr Fookes had an interesting visit to the chief Courts in London. When he was at the Court of Criminal Appeal an appeal in a murder case was proceeding, the argument being of a “fine” nature on a plea of insanity. The Lord Chief Justice (Lord heading,

previously Sir Rufus Isaacs) presided, supported by two other Judges, and the outstanding feature of the trial was the immense ability of Lord Reading. He has a splendid voice, and his summing up of the facts and application of the law were equally impressive. Mr Fookes also heard some interesting cases in the Divorce and Probate Court. In the Court of King’s Bench he was present during the hearing of the libel case Kemp v. “The Fleet,” a newspaper published in the interests of the lower deck in the Navy. The journal had called Captain ' Kemp a martinet and made allegations of acts amounting almost to acts of violence. In consequence Captain Kemp sued the journal for libel, and the Court was crowded with bluejackets and men of the lower deck who were to give evidence on the paper’s behalf. One of the most eminent lawyers engaged was Mr F. E. Smith, K.C., one of the Conservative leaders in the House of Commons. He was advocating the cause of “The Fleet,” but a verdict for £3OOO was given against his client. The new Old Bailey, the leading criminal Court in Lon. don, is a magnificent building. Hearing that the “canteen cases” were before this Court Mr Fookes naturally made a point of attending. The charges were against Army officers for wrongfully receiving certain trade commissions. Certain sums were paid to Army officers by contractors in order to secure orders for supplying goods to canteens. A recent Act had made tlic taking of such commissions penal, but it appeared that the practice had obtained for many years previously. The prosecutions were the first under the Act. Sir J. A. Simon, Attorney-Gen-eral, conducted the prosecution for the Crown, There must have been fifty counsel altogether engaged, all the leading members of the Bar being retained. The case marked the last appearance in Court of Sir Edward Clark, the Grand Old Man of the English Bar. Mr Fookes found the case highly interesting. The proceedings resulted in the conviction of the several accused, and one, Colonel Whittaker, who had up to that time held an unblemished record in the Army and was contemplating retiring on pension, / was imprisoned, naturally also losing Ids pension rights. It was a heavy blow to his family. Three of his sons were in the Army. But after serving four months of his sentence, the remaining term was remitted, and, the war having broken out, Colonel Whittaker went forward once again to fight for his country. There was a good deal of sympathy for Colonel Whittaker. Nobody condoned the offence; but it was thought that the punishment was rather harsh, in view of the fact that the practice was so old-established. However, the official view was that it was necessary to imprison the Colonel, because of his high rank, as an example. Altogether Mr Fookes made a fine round of tire Courts and was very, much pleased with what he heard and saw. After being in London for two months Mr Fookes’ family left on a lengthy tour through England, but before doing so Mr Fookes went to see the Derby run. There was ideal weather on Derby Day, and the 25-mile jjotor run to Epsom was through a most beautiful countryside. The Derby is quite a classical event in English sporting, and it was the hope of all English sportsmen to see it run. Although not a sporting man Mr Fookes thoroughly enjoyed the Derby. There was a crowd of men, women and children. It was quite a sight to see the large number of gypsies and other queer people not seen in New Zealand. One of the gypsies had actually run a fencing wire across one path and was collecting a shilling from motor drivers, who were led to believe that he was officially authorised to charge for entry to a piece of high ground. But the gypsy had no authority and his system broke down when one driver let himself through without paying, though the gypsy had previously collected quite a respectable sum. Mr Fookes had a good position and had an excellent view of the start and finish. It was a great i disappointment that the King’s horse j was left at the post, along with other favorites. Apart altogether from the racing, the experience of seeing the great crowd was most interesting. Mr Fookes went all over the course and I

was particularly amused by the tipsters. These men dressed themselves in jockey caps and riding breeches and made a long address on the merits ol the horses engaged at the meeting. They got their listeners excited and then ventured the information that they knew of some surprises which were to happen and that these winners were printed on slips, which they would sell for a shilling each. They did a thriving business. While watching one of these gentry who, had a dense crowd around him, who should approach Mr Fookes but Mr 11. H. Nolan, of Hawera, who exclaimed; “Well, Tommy, who would have expected to have met you on the Derby racecourse.” Mr Nolan looked li.t and well and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the Derby. After leaving London the party set out on a tour through Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall. From Exmouth they went north, passing through Bristol, where they met Mrs Harrison, widow of Dr. Harrison, of E'ltham, and her eldest son. Mrs Harrison was looking very well. Her son had gone to the war, .having joined a cavalry regiment. Ill’s"' Harrison said she thought that she would not be able to settle down in England and that she would soon be back in New Zealand . In her view there was no place like New Zealand, and she thought she would return and settle in New Plymouth. She was of opinion that the life in New Zealand would suit herself and son better than the life in England. Whether the war had altered Mrs Harrison’s determination Mr Fookes could not say. Mrs Harrison had made numerous inquiries regarding friends in Eltham and Stratford, and Mr Fookes was sorry he could not stay longer with her. At Southsea they had a splendid time. They were there for about a fortnight and made excursions all round—Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, etc. They were shown over the Portsmouth dockyards and saw some of the nation’s battleships. They were shown over the battleship Hercules by Captain Vicary, a retired Naval officer, an uncle of Mrs Fookes. He was 84 years of age, but he walked them round all day, nearly walking Mr Fookes off his legs. They also visited the Victory, Nelson’s flagship, and there saw a photograph of the last survivors of the Battle of Trafalgar, including Mrs Fookes’ grandfather, old Captain Vicary. They left the Victory just before a salute of nineteen guns was fired in honor of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Churchill, who landed from a small pinnace. (To he continued.)