A SCENE IN COURT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9305, 4 January 1896, Page 7

A SCENE IN COURT.

At Yarrawonga, a town about 160 miles from Melbourne, the aotingClerkof theCourt took it upon himself recently to point out thet certain proceedings were irregular, there being only one Justice on the Bench. The police sergeant produced the Act to show that, as the prosecution and the prisoner were willing, one Justice could adjudicate. The Clerk then left the Court, aud went into his office at the rear of the building. The Bench asked the prisoner how ho intendod to plead, whereupon the Clerk, overhearing tho remark, rushetf' into the Court and exclaimed, " You needn't plead it all. The Court has no jurisdiction to try you." The magistrate said, "Mr CafSn, it I have any more of such conduct from you I will commit you for contempt of Court." " Oh, no, you won't," said the Clerk, and wheeling round he rushed back to his office and locked himself in. " Sergeant," said the Justice, "go and tell the Clork to come here." The sergeant went to the Clerk's office, and informed him that the Bench desired his presence iv the Court. ••No, you don't," said the Clerk ; "I shall not come." The sergeant returned to the Court with the Clerk's answer, and the magistrate, having made an entry of the incident in tho Court: register, the case was proceeded with and disposed of, the Clerk in the meantime remainiug in his office, with the key turned on the inside.