MR JELLICOE AND THE JUSTICES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1013, 31 July 1891, Page 18

MR JELLICOE AND THE JUSTICES.

A LITTLE SCENE. There was somewhat of a scene in Court on Wednesday over the conclusion of the case against John Hazel, charged with obtaining L 32 from T. Barber by means of false pretences. On Tuesday evening, as stated in the New Zealand Times of Wednesday, the Justices (Messrs J. L. Bacon, L. L. Harris, and J. G. Aitken) reserved their decision until noon next day. When their Worships took their seats on the Bench the Chairman, Mr Bacon, intimated that they had gone carefully into the evidence, and had come to the conclusion that there was a case to answer. Mr Jellicoe asked for a remand, so as to allow him calling rebutting evidence, but to this the Bench objected, but stated they were willing to hear any witnesses that the learned gentleman was then prepared to produce. Mr Jellicoe then cilled Mr J. G. Aitken, one of the presiding Justices, who slated that he had not known the prosecutor until he had come into Court. The prosecutor had called at his office on the first day the case came before the Court, but was only there a few minutes. Did not think Mr Williams’ name was mentioned during the little conversation which took place. The present case was not spoken of. The conversation which took place was to this effect : Witness told prosecutor that they had had an application from a storekeeper in the country who wanted a draper, and he (witness) had asked him to call and see him about it. Witness told the prosecutor that he had been badly advised in parting with his money so easily, and that if lie had any more he should endeavour to take better care of it. Witness admitted that he had agreed at the request ot Mr Charles Baker to sit on the Bencli as a substitute for Mr Baker, senior. On the Bench questioning _ the revelancy of the evidence, Mr Jellicoe said he only wished to make it clear that the Bench was “ packed.” The Chairman said that Mr Jellicoe had no right to make such an assertion. Continuing his evidence the witness said he knew nothing about the case before coming into Court. Thomas Barker, the prosecutor, was next examined by Mr Jellicoe. The Court refused to allow witness to answer a question as to what he had stated to Mr Baker about the case when the information was sworn. Mr Jellicoe then threatened the Court with a writ of mandamus to compel them to allow the question to be asked. The witness was then asked if Mr Baker, jun., had told him that he (B deer, jun.) had arranged forliis father to sit on the Bench. The Justices informed the witness that he need not answer the question. Mr Jellicoe said the question was rather an ugly one, but he intended hiving an answer. Mr Williams, counsel for prosecutor, said Mr Jellicoe’s manner of examination was disgraceful. (Mr James, Clerk of the Court, produced the Justices roll, and stated that the Justices summoned for that day were Messrs Bacon, Ebenezer Baker and C. A. Baker.) The Bench then refused to allow the witness to answer any more questions, as they believed Mr Jellicoe was endeavouring to impute something that did not and had not existed. Witness was then told by the Bench to leave the witness box. Mr Jellicoe said he had other questions to ask, hut the Bench said they had had quite enough of such irrelevant questions. Mr Jellicoe ordered the witness back to the box, but the Bench told him he must obey the Court, and he left. Mr Jellicoe said there were other ways and means of compelling the Bench to hear the evidence of witnesses. The accused was then committed for trial, bail being allowed in one surety of LSO, and two of L 25 each.