NOTORIOUS JOHN NORTON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 178, 20 August 1909, Page 4

NOTORIOUS JOHN NORTON.

PASSAGES-AT-ARMS IN THE COURT.

JUDGE DENN'ISTON PUTS HIJI DOWN.

During the hearing of the case of Stringer v. John Norton (Truth) in the Supreme Court, Christchurch, Judge Deiraiston had to suppress the Sydney journalist, who failed to see the legal side of his case. Said his Honor: The point is absolutely absurd, and you are wasting the time of the Court. If I said that to any counsel he would immediately act upon it. If I am wrong, you can take it to the Court of Appeal. Mr. Norton: I wish your Honor would cease to bombard me in this manner. Hie Honor: I will lot be addressed in those terms. /

• Mr. Norton: Very well, then. His Honor: And you will n ot interrupt me, sir. You can cither act on my suggestion that this is an entirely improper point or you can not. If yon continue, you will continue your argument and not make comments on my ruling. You will proceed. The Defendant: Except to s'ay that I decline to accept that intimation. 11 is Honor: All you say goes for the benefit of your reporter. Mr. Norton: I will continue. His Honor: Listen to me, sir. Mr. Norton: I will sit.down, then. His Honor: You will stand up, sir. 1 am not paying the slightest attention to what yofl say. I am not taking the slightest note of what you are saying. As' far as I am concerned, you arc talking to the air for the benefit of your reporter and your own publication. Will you be pleased to proceed with what yon call your argument? Mr. Norton proceeded to labor the point referred to. Tlis Honor said that he would decline to hear Mr. Norton further on the point.

Mr. Norton: That is move satisfactory.

His Honor: You will be good enough not to comment on my ruling. You will act upon it. I decline to hear any cases on the point. Mr. Norton: That (places me in a difficult position. His Honor: The sooner you realise that you must not make comments on my ruling the better it will be for you. Mr. Norton: But your Honor provoitcs them by your constant interpositions. His Honor tried to speak again, but Mr. Norton endeavored to shout him down in a wordy statement of the proper manner in which he was endeavoring to conduct his case. His Hcffior, as soon as he could be iM'aicl. told Mr. Norton very emphalicnllv that if he proceeded after his Honor had told him to stop, his 1 Honor would i'"jiNh him. "J have told you you have n remedy," he added, "and the matter is disposed of."