COURT COSTUMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11771, 28 September 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

COURT COSTUMES.

WHITE WAISTCOATS AND APRONS ARE NOT "THE THING." Our judicial authorities are evidently determined that the majesty of the law shall rot be affronted by eccentricities of costume on the part of suitors or their legal representatives. An incident which occurred in Mr. Justice Kekewich's Court recalls the protest of a well-known judge a generation ago that he could not "hear" counsel "because his waistcoat was so loud." A junior counsel applied to Mr. Justice Kekewich to hear a case which had been passed over during his absence in another Court. " And what did the judge in the other Court say respecting your attire?" inquired his lordship severely, glaring at the white waistcoat which the junior was wearing. Counsel made no reply, but renewed his application the next day in a black waistcoat. It may be explained that, although King's counsel are bound to wear certain Court coats and waistcoats when robed, there is no similar rule applicable to the attire of the members of the junior Bar. Mr. Justice Kekewich, however, is a well-known stickler for what he considers to be legal etiquette. Even the Police Court, it seems, has its sartorial, regulations. Coats, at any rate, are de rigueur. At North London, a man in apron and with rolled-up sleeves entered the witness-box and a-sked for advice concerning a horse he had bought. Mr D'Eyncourt: Stay, have you no coat? Applicant : Yes. Mr. D'Eyucourt: Why didn't you put it on? I have just run over from my shop, and did not, think of it. Mr. D ; Eyncourt: It is not usual for people to come to Court like that, and you ought not, to have been allowed in. Go away and put your coat on if you want to get advice. In a few minutes the applicant returned, this time wearing a smart, light, coat, and minus the apron. He then told the magistrate that he had bought a horse without a written warranty. He paid for it by cheque, but as the animal did not come up to his expectations he stopped the cheque and sent the animal back. Now the horse had been returned to him again. Mr. D'Eyncourt: Give the man notice that unless he removes the animal it will be sold.