NEWS BY MAIL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11827, 7 January 1933, Page 3

NEWS BY MAIL

ANCIENT COURTS OF ENGLAND*

The “Admiral of the Medway” went on hoard a barge in the middle of the river at Rochester (England) recently to preside over the Medway Court of Admiralty. Ashore lie is the mayor of Rochester, Councillor George Tenner, hut afloat he becomes a maritime dignitary and decide? disputes about oysters and other tilings with true nautical aplomb (says the ‘‘Sunday Times”). This court prides itself on 200 years of history, hut compared with some oi Britain’s ancient courts it is young. Not long alter King Harold fell beneath the rain of the Norman arrows at Hastings ihe Court of Arc-lies was sitting. It is the premier ecclesiastical tribunal of England, and its past goes hack to the beginning of Britain’s story. Ir still meets and considers the laws of the Church. A great silver mace is borne in state before Sir Levis Dibdin. the veteran Dean of the Arches. as lie enters Church House, Wesminstor. In the heart of ihe Now Forest meets the Court of Now Forest vevdorors and chooses, with old ceremonial, the verderors for each year. They talk of grazing rights and oilier affairs of the forest, and l 01l undisputed sway. The Ag.-Ur. wearing bis coat of Lincoln Green, cries aloud s Gyez ! Oyez ! ancL.dccr.nres:ifnr conrt open with the same formula as lias boon used for 900 years. The old Court- Loot is a tribunal which was founded l,v King Alfred. Manorial rights of all kinds are within its jurisdiction, and many members have the pleasant task of ale-tasting to make sure that the local brew is iust as good as if used to ho.