Witnesses' Expenses.

Manawatu Herald, 6 August 1898, Page 3

Witnesses' Expenses.

Before the ordinary business wss called on at the District Court Thurs day morning, Mr S. Abraham? brought up a question of some importance to persons summoned 8S witnesses at a Court of Law. Mr Abrahams explained that some time ago he was called as a witness, and was allowed £1 Is as expenses. That money had since been paid over to Mr Baker, the solicitor for the plaintiff in the action in question, but he now re fused to hand the money over, and he aßked His Hoc or to B*y whether the money was to be considered aa tru- 1 monoy, or to give an expression of opinion as to the propriety of the solici toil's conduct. Mr Baker said that ho had followed the usual rule in the matter, namely, to account to his client for all monies awarded by tha Court. Hig Honor said that he hope' there would be no hvuble over v small matter of this kinrt. No doubt w'-np-sros w-'-jv entitled to the ex«

penses awarded by the Court, but. he had uo jurisdiction to make an order - for payment, but if them wag to be any trouble ever the question of wit>nesses' expeuses, ha would in the ] future make a rule that all monies

due to witnesses should be retained by the Clerk of the Court and paid over direct to the witnesses. Mr Abrahams, however, had his civil remedy against the plaintiff in the action in which he was called as a witness, a course which Mr Abra hams intimated he intended to follow. — Standard.