PERFORMANCES IN THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4892, 25 November 1876, Page 2

PERFORMANCES IN THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

The , Resident Magistrate’s. Court was crowded yesterday morning at 11 o'clock, the hour appointed for hearing further evidence in the |case of Henry Aldrich, who stands charged with stealing certain, articles belonging to Mr. Hoskins, bootmaker. The little girl Lydia Hoskins was examined, being made to stand upon a chair, a position not calculated to inspire her .with confidence. She gave her evidence very well, however, which is very much to be wondered at considering the little contentions that occasionally took place between Mr. Bartini and Mr! Buller, the fpmer gentleman e videntlysnffering from the effect sof the previous day’s combat, if it may be so called. In the first’part of i the child’s evidence Dr. Buller had' occasion to request that the words should be taken down as they, were uttered, Mr. Barton having interrupted her just as she was about to say something which Dr. Buller apparently, thought ‘ favorable to the prosecution. Then did Mr. Barton appeal to the Bench and scene No. 1 took place (for there were- many during the day). He protested that-he was; an ill-used individual; that his learned friend, was continually interrupting him;' and that his learned friend had furthermore rendered himself objectionable in that he had the sympathy of the Press, articles and paragraphs having appeared in the newspapers which were calculated to. prejudice the prisoner’s case. At this Dr. Buller rose, and Informed the Bench that Mr. Barton had been guilty of accusing, him of having inspired one of those, articles in the newspapers—an accusation which he met with a distinct denial, having had no communication with any of the Press representatives since the case had been before the Court. Mr. Barton (warmly): “My friend has no right to; say that; I did not accuse him of that in public, and I must certainly, claim the protection of the Court against these' continued interruptions.” Mr. Moore was of opinion that Mr. Barton did not require protection in the: present instance. The Bench was perfectly impartial. Then followed '■ a discussion which was ludicrous and painful. The Bench; and the two learned gentlemen were talking at the same time, and the spectators giggled. ■ Peace having been restored by the Bench deciding that Mr, Barton had no cause of complaint, the poor little witness, who seemed quite confused by the storm which had arisen out of her . examination, proceeded to .give her evidence. Very -little time had elapsed,’however, before the idlers. in the Court were gratified by a further exhibition. The last witness called by. Dr. Buller was the, landlord of the house to" . which: Constable Buchanan went with the prosecutor in search of the property alleged-to be stolen.' Dr. Buller, in putting a question a® to ; whether accused had not partly occupied the house jwith Mrs. Hoskins, cautioned the witness to be careful, after the manner, of lawyers, sometimes. At this Mr. Barton became, virtuously . indignant,, and claimed protection for the witness, who, He said, should not have his veracity questioned. ; s Dr. Buller said he had offered no insult, and in cautioning the, man had not travelled out of; the usual course. ' Mr., Barton then said ■ that ■he • had been checked on the previous day for acting similarly. This being denied by the Bench, the learned gentleman .protested that ,he had been badgered byDr.Buller for saying nothing worse, j He was then reminded that there was a slight distinction between the cases, he having characterised the prosecutor as a perjured scoundrel. Mr. Barton admitted that he had said so,’but remarked that he had been led to make the observation in consequence 'of the badgering afore-mentioned; but at the same . time -he would . probably makev that accusation again in another form and place. He then went on to complain of the newspaper paragraphs. . Indeed these paragraphs occupied a good deal of his attention throughout the day., He accused thePress of endeavoring, to prejudice the minds of the Ben|ch in abasei.whicH was’ still jwdice, , ‘and seemed.topay very little attention to the important fact, pointed out by Dr. Buller that; the comments made by the New Zealand TiMEs (to which he was supposed to refer) were not comments: on the case, but- •on the action of counsel, and this was perfectly justifiable. ; The third witness having” concluded his evidence it was- agreed‘ to ■ adjoum the; Case: till next Saturday, and the Bench agreed to. admit the prisoner to bail. The Inspector of Police not being satisfied with the amount originally agreed 1 upon, the Bench increased it, accused to find bail, himself in £SO and two sureties of £SO each. When Mr. Barton announced that sureties were found, some enthusiastic friend of the accused I applauded. Sergeant Monaghan naturally commanded this party, who had judiciously; concealed,himself behind a corpulent individual, to be i silent; • whereat Mr, Barton .said, “.No, your Worships,, do; not let there be silence altogether, let us have a little applause.” The appeal was: not responded to. -Then Mr. Barton announced that having taken this case. in hand, he was going into it thoroughly, his hopes of success were high, and in a general way he gave the Bench, Bar, Press and the public to understand that he would astonish; them yet. The Court then adjourned. ,