WARM PASSAGE IN COURT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 284, 28 May 1912, Page 6

WARM PASSAGE IN COURT

I JUDGE AND COUNSEL. Auckland, May 22. A brief passage-at-arms took place at the Supreme Court to-day between Mr. Justice Edwards and Mr. T. Cotter, K.C., who was engaged in a case concerning a i disputed land transaction. Mr. Cotter / handed the plaintiff, who was in the wit-ness-box, a document, and asked him whether the signature to it was his. T-lis Honor: What is the document? Mr. 'Cotter: I will read it to your Honor. His Honor: I don't want you to read it to me. As I explained to you the other day, I can read myself. Mr. Cotter: How can I explain it if your; Honor will not let mo read it? His Honor: You can explain very well, sir; but you don't choose to. A moment later Mr. Cotter endeavored to explain his attitude. Hir Honor: Mr. Cotter, I won't have you interrupting me when I am speaking. You are guilty of the grossest contempt. Mr. Cotter: I have not been guilty of gross contempt, or of contempt at all. If your Honor will not hear nie on a point of personal explanation, I had better sit down. His Honor: You had better sit down. Even when you are sitting down you keep on making remarks. I Shortly afterwards, while arguing whe- j ther a question was or was not admissible, his Honor remark-d to Mr. Cot- j ter: "You will have to ? 'id your ways, so long as I am on the Kench."