BREEZE IN COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19800, 27 May 1926, Page 15

BREEZE IN COURT.

COUNSEL SILENCED. MAGISTRATE'S VERBAL CASTIGATION. Counsel have a profound respect for magistrates, and it is seldom in a court of law that the Bench has to call for the withdrawal of remarks from any quarter. In a case at the City Police Court yesterday, however, Mr W. G. Hoy entered into an argument with Mr .T. R. Bartholomew, S.M., which ended in the former being ordered to sit down after receiving a w-bal castigation. In the course of a witness's evidence the words “to the best of my belief” were introduced. Mr Hay said he objected to evidence ns to belief, and was over-ruled by the Magistrate. Mr Hay: Thank you, sir, for over-ruling me. The Magistrate: I have never heard of counsel thanking a magistrate for overruling him. I consider your attitude childish and most improper, Mr Hay, and I call upon you to withdraw that remark. Mr Hay: But, I don’t mean to be offensive, your Worship. I mean to say, sir The Magistrate; I call upon you to withdraw unconditionally. Mr Hay: Certainly I will withdraw, sir, but The Magistrate: Please sit down, Mr Hay. I will not hear you any further. Further speech by Mr Hay wr * cut short by another shs-p command to ‘‘sit down,” and ? . Hay obeyed without further argument.