“James” v. Sir Robert

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 962, 3 May 1930, Page 20

“James” v. Sir Robert

■ N the evening of March 16, Sir Robert and Lady Moncrieffe and her niece were dining. The footman was out. I served the soup, and Sir Robert asked me what kind of soup it was. I answered that it was clear soup. He scolded me for not addressing him as Sir Robert, and threatened to kick me.” Sir Robert’s ex-butler, James Mitchell, made this statement, in evidence in the West London County Court, when he was claiming wages in lieu of notice, and also for a laundry Dill which Sir Robert had agreed to pay. James added: “I have served

Why the Butler was Sacked

uobilit.y and Royalty, and was never dismissed for impertinence.” Sir Robert, the eighth baronet, who contested the claim, told the judge: “Mitchell never showed respect. He never addressed me as Sir Robert nor Lady Moncrieffe as My Lady. He curtly told me it was clear soup, and shouted that, I was a pig. I told him to leave the room or I would kick him out. He went, down to Lady Moncrieffe and told her that, she was a perfect pig. I told him that he should know how to address a gentleman.” Mitchell denied having called anybody a pig. He simply said that Sir Robert treated him like a pig. The judge said that James had undoubtedly been impertinent, and was properly dismissed. Judgment was given for Sir Robert.