Leaves of a Life.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 998, 17 April 1891, Page 11

Leaves of a Life.

MR. MONTAGUE WILLIAMS’ LEGAL REMINISCENCES. The success of Mr Montague Williams’ Leaves of a Life has induced him to give a fresh series of legal reminiscences to the world under the title of Later Leaves, in which he adds to his accounts of the sensational cases in which he was concerned during his long and brilliant career at the bai an interesting account of his experiences since he has been a police magistrate, and the insight he has obtained into the inner life of the poor. Some of his stories are excellent. Upon one occasion he was dining alone at the Beefsteak Club, when a young nobleman came into the house who had succeeded to his title and estates, and who was in deep mourning for his father. They both went into the theatre together. The sequel is in Mr Williams’ own words:— ‘lt so happened that, at the end, I think, of the second act, one of the scenes caught fire. Instantly my companion jumped up from his seat (we were in the front row of the stalls) and bolted like a rabbit from the building. He did not return, and I saw nothing more of him until, at an advanced hour of the evening, I re-entered the club. There I found him, quietly smoking a

cigar. ‘ “ What on earth,’ said I, “ made you bolt off in that sort of way ? You seemed frightened out of your wits.’ (Not a difficult matter, perhaps.) “ Don’t you know on such an occasion, if everybody got up and rushed out, a panic would ensue, with very likely fatal consequences ? Why on earth couldn’t you sit still, as I did? There was nothing serious the matter.” ‘ Upon this, with a most patronising air, the young gentleman replied : 4 “ Oh, yes, that’s very well for you, but you’ve not just succeeded to a Peerage and £20,000 a year.” ’ Perhaps the most interesting portion of the book to Australian readers will be the reference to the adventures of Lord Carrington, the ex Governor of New South Wales, in his green and salad days. Mr Grenville Murray, an ex-diplomatist, who was very notorious in London and Paris in the early seventies, libelled Lord Carrington in a newspaper called the Queen’s Messenger. The ex-Governor of our neighbours retorted by horsewhipping Grenville Murray, was summoned, committed for trial and eventually found guilty and fined, the jury adding a rider to the verdict that the defendant had acted under the greatest provocation. The scene in the police Court is thus described :

4 After hearing the evidence, the magistrate committed the defendant for trial. * When the doors of the court were opened, at the conclusion of the case, a scene took place that has probably never been paralleled. ‘ I must mention that, in the course of the hearing, certain documents alleged to have been stolen from the offices of the Queen’s Messenger were referred to as being in the hands of 1 ord Carrington’s solicitor; and, withoue going into particulars, I may state generally that, while those holding these documents were most desirous of retaining possession, there was an equal anxiety on the other side to recover them.

The defendant’s solicitor, standing in the well of the court, was depositing the precious papers in a strong box—and proceeding with his task as rapidly as the movements of a crowd of noble lords and honourable gentleman would allow him—-when, on a sudden, a violent struggle commenced. ‘ln the centre of the court was a surging mass of human beings. Cries of * Police! police !’ rang through the building, and the voices could not have been more urgent were murder being committed. All was confusion. Peers, policemen, solicitors, clerks—all were involved in the wild melee. Nothing

less than a free fight was in progress. Books, papers, inkstands and pens were scattered ; hats were knocked off and smashed, and blows were freely exchanged. 4 The only persons not concerned in in the scuffle were the magistrate—who had been on the point of leaving the bench when the disturbance commenced —the counsel, and the Marquess of Townshend, who, at the commencement of the engagememt, retired hastily, with as much dignity as circumstances would permit into a private room.

‘ At the expiration of a few seconds, several constables rushed into the building, and a police officer excitedly shouted out the order to his subordinates ; — 4 Shut all the doors, and let no one pass out.’ 4 In the centre of the tumultuous crowd a terrible struggle was taking place for the possession of the strong box. The defendant’s solicitor, though an elderly man. held it with the grip of a vice, and withstood all onslaughts most manfully. One of his assailants took him by the throat and well-nigh choked him, while others sought to wrench away the box. Fortunately the pressure of the crowd was too great to allow them to absolutely strike him. 4 Lord Carrington, regardless of the fact that he was still nominally in custody, sprang over the desk behind which he had been seated, fought his way through the throng, and laid violent hands on those who sought to relieve the elderly solicitor of his charge. 4 It seemed for a time as though the official mind were completely paralysed by this outrageous defiance of the established decorum and dignity of a court of law. However, in a few minutes the police took prompt measures. They rushed into the struggling group, and soon succeeded, though not without the exercise of physical force, in capturing the box and taking it into custody. 4 Though its primary cause had thus been removed, the tumult did not at once come to an end. The truth is, a new source of disorder took the place of the old. Persons in high positions—that is to say, standing on tables and desks—displayed great zeal in pointing out to the police individuals below who they declared had been mainly instrumental in occasioning the riot. Arrests followed, and several prisoners were hurried out of court, among the number being Colonel Campbell, who was subsequently charged with assaulting the police. ‘.lt was fully quarter of an hour more before order was restored. Then Mr Gifford, addressing the magistrate, asked whether his client’s solicitor might again have the box containing the documents and whether he might receive police protection while convey ing it from the court to his office. 4 Mr D’Eyncourt replied : 4 44 I am happy to say that the proceedings this afternoon have never been equalled in my experience. I directed the police, when I saw what had occurred, to take possession of the box. Of course the person who brought it here is entitled to it. An act of extreme violence has been committed in my presence. The policemen who have the box will be good enough to hand it over to the solicitor, and see that he is properly protected.” 4 So ended this remarkable scene.’ In conclusion, Mr Montague Williams examines the proposals of 4 General ’ Booth, and condemns them. His suggestion is that the Government should deal with such problems as the misery and destitution of London and other large cities by means of a Minister of Health.