THE BYSTANDER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2999, 10 December 1896, Page 4

THE BYSTANDER.

There are some good stories—now and old—in a paper on “ Leaders

the WITNESS WHO KNEW SIB MOHARD WEBSTER.

of the Bar” in the Strand Magazine for October, It is v told of Richard Webster, Q.C., the Attorney-General, that years ago ho was a 'Varsity athlete of renown,

and even now takes a great interest in runners and such like. “ I knows yer, Mr Webster,” a witness whom he was treating with scant ceremony is reported to have once retorted, " and many’s tbe’time I’ve given yer a hand when ye’ve been steppin’ it round the track like a grey’Qund; so let’s down easily, like a gOod cove which yo are.” What was the result of the appeal history doesn't say, but Sir Richard (the writer of the article thinks) was hardly deaf to such a skilfullyworded entreaty.

Sib Robert Finlay, Q.C., is not seen at his best on horseback, but ho

SIR ROBERT finlay’s horse.

rides, we are told, to his chambers of a morning on "a , curious composite creature, which could subserve many useful nuroosos in a travel-

userui purposes m a cravet- • ling menagerie.” It is understood that, together with an animal belonging to Mr Justice Day, it forms a complete, though limited, species, on which the Inns of Court Mounted Infantry have oast longing eyes. In the event of either of the. creatures being sold at Christie’s, the adjutant of yho corps has instructions to attend and bid up to the value of the regimental accoutrements for a possession which would add materially to the attractiveness of the "Devil's Own."

In summer time Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., disports himself on the

u TEDDY CLAWS.”

Thames* and comes down to chambers in a frock coat and suit of light texture and

startling: hue with hat and gloves to match. The story goes that when arrayed in these, and other summery attire, he a short time ago was leaving the Law. Courts,, the following conversation was overheard between an American and a friend who was showing him round: — “Waal; see thar. Say, who might he be ?" " Lord Chesterfield, at least X think it must be ” the Englishman answered j “ but I'll ask," and be asked a cabman, who, in the hoarse tones peculiar to his calling, replied: “ Luv’ ycr for an innercent —why, that’s Teddy Clawk, that is; ain’t he a fighter, eh!” and burst into irreverent guffaws. The Englishman explained bis mistake to hie friend, adding: “He doesn’t look like a prizerfightor after all, does he ? But I suppose the cabby knows." “ Waal, I dnnno,’’ said the American, “but I lay he ain’t altogether raal professional."

It is of Mr J. P. Oswald, Q.C., M.P., that it is said that when a judge.

- JIE OSWALD, Q.C., M.P., AND THE JUDGES.

lb ib Cniu bUChb »uou a juugr, tired of reproving him, wearily said, “Very well; I can’t teach' yon manners," coolly rejoined, “ That is so, m’ lad: that is so." On another oo-

casion, on being told by a judge that if he persisted in his line of conduct in court he would be committed for contempt, Mr Oswald replied suavely :

" That, m’ lud, raises another question : as to your lordship's power to commit a counsel engaged in arguing a case before your lordship.” “ Just as Napoleon, when bo saw the Sbibboroen Militia at Waterloo, threw up the spougo and wept for Ida legions, so do the judges admit defeat when Mr Oswald tackles them."

Truth is stranger than fiction. Some years ago one of Sherlock

SSERLOCE HOLMES — CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.

Holmes’ detective stories told how a certain doctor had murdered jjeoplo standing in his way by training a snake to go down a bell rope over the victim’s bed. X’fce Dacca

Prakash of August 30 last, speaking of frequent murders in the Baokergunge district of East Bengal, says“ Another diabolical instrument made use of is a piece of hollow bamboo containing a venomous serpent.' One end’ of this instrument is placed on tho bed of the intended victim, and tho enclosed serpent is then worried into biting him. A case of murder effected in this fashion. was tried in the Patuakhali subdivision.” Tho fact in this instance is more diabolical than the fiction—and it often is.

The latest novelty in the bioyole line is one driven by means of cams in place'of the chain, and it will no doubt bo put on tho market before long. An illustration of this, and a few particulars, appears in a vooont issue of the Cycle. The cams revolve on a ball bearing, and this sets in motion a rod connected with an eccentric at the back hub. Tho movement is quite simple, and the machine runs noiselessly and well. At Putney, the other day, a rider covered a mile in 2 min. 4360.. on a heavy roadster machine weighing over 401 b.

A BICYCLE DRIVEN BY CAMS.

An ingenious method of hunting alligators is practised in Ceylon. A nice fat baby is tied by the leg to a stake near ■ some pond or lagoon where crocodiles abound; Soon the child begins crying, and the sound attracts crocodiles within hearing distance. They start out immediately for the wailing infant. The hunter in tho'moantiraa conceals himself in the bushes or swamp grass near the baby, with a rifle in his hand projecting out and almost over the child. He remains perfectly quiot, and the ..reptile, intent on its prey, notices nothing but tho, screaming apd kicking child. As the monster approaches to within a few foot of the bait the hunter sends a bullet directly into tho alligator’s eye, causing instant death. '

. AN INGENIOUS DEVICE.