JUSTICES AND LAWYER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15715, 7 September 1911, Page 5

JUSTICES AND LAWYER.

BREEZE IN THE MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

During tlie hearing of a case at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Mr Donncllv, sen., Who was defending an accused' man, took exception to the Justices of the Peace studying a section of the Crimes Act while his client Mas <> iving evidence. He emphatically protested against what he thougnt was unfair treatment and requested the Bench to give its whole attention to the case in progress. , • Air Miuson, who occupied the chair, said that he was. giving his undivided attention to the evidence, and tna.t the accused would be treated with absolute fairness and impart laluy. «.o “did not thank Mr Donnelly lor his U Later in the sitting, Mr E. Richardson, who was M r Mmsons co league on the Bench, took Air Donnelly to task for his remarks. He said tlmu in Tailness to Mr Minson, who had not been looking at the Act, he would hiwo to reprimand tho solicitor. He cun., * that Justices of the Peace "ere entitled to the same respect as a ..magistrate received. They came to the Court at their own inconvenience am did not expect to be brow-oestmi andintimidated by lawyers. .It ® duty' of the legal, proiession, to asmst the Bench in their work and not to make uncalled for and unfan remarks. Mr Donnelly, in reply, stated tnar it ins ,tot to hit advantage to come into conflict with presiding Ristices He much regretted the mcident but was still of opinion that both gen men on the Bench were leading tiie Act at the time he had interrupted: With all due respect to Mr Richard son, he considered that it was no* right- for the Justice who was not in the chair to address such remarks, as Air Richardson had addressed to him. Ho had been in every Court, from the Court*of Appeal to the Police Court, and had never been so addressed before. it M'as a matter tor regret that Mr Richardson had so far departed from the practice of tho Bench as to speak to him in the way he had. done. Ho had always treated even the humblest Justice of tho Peace with respect, although Justices had often an unfortunate leaning towards the police in making their decisions. He always placed the interests of his clients before and above all other considerations, and lienee the remarks he had made. ' Mr Mins on said that Mr Donnelly’s remarks had been “most unwarrantable and unjustifiable,” and he considered that the whole affair had been started by Air Donnelly. Mr D’onnellv said there was a difference of opinion as to that, but each side could hold its own view of the matter. “ However,” lie concluded, “ l expect that next time I shall be addressed by the chairman.”