HE KNEW THE JUDGE

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 6

HE KNEW THE JUDGE

Visitors to the law courts, however interested they may be in a case, are usually silent spectators of the proceedings. In civil jurisdiction matters are generally quiet, calm, and often commonplace. An exception occurred the other day. The Melbourne Banco Court was occupied in hearing an appeal relating to the legality or otherwise of the use of poker machines in dubs. The audience (says the ‘Age ) was not large, but select. A gentleman of aristocratic family, who has fallen upon evil times, but who is well known in legal circles, was an interested listener for ft time to the arguments of counsel 'Die Chief Justice intervened, and stated his opinion in respect to a pomt in rardplaying, which was involved in the consideration of the case. Upon this the visitor, apparently in a moment of forgetfulness—possibly thinking he was himself in a dub, and not tea court of lawcalled ont in a loud voice : “ And if anyone is bettor qualified to speak as to a point in a game of cards than your Honor, then I don’t know him.” Both Bench and Bax could not refrain from laughing Jjeartily at the incident. The only person, indeed, who took the matter seriously was the court crier. Jumping up from ' chair in which he had been oomfortab’ seated, that official walked briskly towaic the interrupter. But he was too late. The gentleman in question made for the door, through which he escaped, and all the crier could do was to slam it after him, and to stand guard over it for some time afterwards. i