JUSTICES' JUSTICE. A Squabble on the Bench.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 248, 21 March 1888, Page 9

JUSTICES' JUSTICE. A Squabble on the Bench.

This following extraordinary and disgraceful sceno is reported* to have occurred in the Police Court afc Core, Otago, on Friday last. A man named Borland was charged with obtaining 1 2s by false pretences from Ccorge Low. On the bench were Mr J. S. Simson (the Mayor) and Messrs Souness and McOibbon. Prisoner pleaded iruilty. Mr Souness at once said the sentence would be one week's imprisonment in the Invercargill gaol. The Mayor interrupted — I am chairman here, and all decisions must come through me. Then occurred a scene that baffles description. The police said the prisoner was an old offender. The Mayor said it was a disgrace to justice the way Messrs Souness and McCibbon acted. lie was chairman, and would give the man a month. A struggle was made for the Court book, and Messis Souness and McCibbon, getting possession of it, made the neceesaiyontryand left the Bench, the Mayor all the while protesting, and saying that though they had gone, he would try the ca^c himself. The other Justices should be in bhe place the prisoner occupied. He blamed the clerk for favouiing Messrs Souness and McCibbon, and said the whole thing was a plot. The police inquired which verdict was to be acted on, but no reply was given, and His Worship adjourned the Couit till next morning, stating that he would appeal to the Minister of Justice at once.