"HATS OFF IN COURT."

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1915, Page 5

"HATS OFF IN COURT."

SOLDIER'S TROUBLESOME QUERY. ( THE JUDGE'S WAY OUT. A fine point in Court etiquette cropped up during the hearing of a civil case in the Supreme Court at Christehnrcii ou Tuesday. Sir John Findlay called a member of the reinforcements as a witness. The man, who appeared in uniform, handed Sir John a slip of paper as lie approached the witness-box. "I haw a nice point for your Honor to decide," said Sir John. "Witness wants to know wJtether he should wear his hat or not while giving evidence. It appears that witnesses wear their hats in military Courts, and he wants to know whether he should do so here." His Honor was completely taken by surprise with the question, and confessed that he did not know what should be done in the matter. "Send the witness along to the bos in the meantime, and I will decide then," remarked his Honor. On reaching the box, witness said that the point was that under military law only the person who was a prisoner took his hat off at a Court sitting. "And as you are not a prisoner, you don't think you should keep your hat oft?" remarked his Honor, smilingly. "But we will take things as we filid them, and, as yoti came into the box with your hat off, we will leave it at that." The incident then closed aud witnss# ,f»v« oviduct with hi* hud barts.