Judges in the Witness Box.

Hastings Standard, Issue 122, 16 September 1896, Page 4

Judges in the Witness Box.

AN ODD ASSAULT CASE. Sydney, Sept. 15. The novel spectacle of Supreme Court Judges in the witness box was afforded last week, when the Chief Justice and newly-appointed Judge Cohen was subpoenaed as witnesses in a case brought by the Kev. Mr Clark, a litigious parson who sought to recover £IOOO damages from the Sheriff and other Court officers, for an assault some time ago in a case in which the Primate figured. The Chief Justice, from information received, ordered the Sheriff to search Clark for a revolver, which he was said to have with him. No weapon was found, and Clark alleges that he was severely handled by the officers of the Court in the search. But for the absence of ex-Judge Windeyer, he would probably have figured with the other Judges in the witness-box. Judges are said to make poor witnesses. The Chief Justice was no exception. Clark cross-examined him with no little skill. He admitted owning a pistol which he used for shooting cats, but the rev. gentleman's sporting pretension may be judged from the fact that an expert's evidence showed that the weapon might go off if the hammer was allowed to hit the cartridge twenty or thirty times, and only a particularly slow kind of cat ran any risk of being hurt. In summing up, the presiding Judge thought perhaps it would have been better had the Chief Justice obtained further particulars before issuing his order. An assault had undoubtedly been committed. The jury awarded Clark £IOO damages and costs.