IMPERTINENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17237, 17 April 1930, Page 7

IMPERTINENCE

JAMES V. SIR ROBERT BUTLER SACKED LONDON, April 7. "On the evening of March 16, Sir Robert and Lady Moncrieffe and her niece were dining. The footman was out. I served the soup, and Sir Robert asked me what kind of soup it was. 1 answered that it was clear soup. He scolded mo for not addressing him as Sir Robert, and threatened to kick me." Sir Robert's ex-butler, James Mitchell, made this statement in evidence, in the West London County Court, when lie was claiming wages in lieu of notice, and also for a laundry bill which Sir Robert had agreed to pay. James added: "I have served nobility and Royalty, and was never dismissed for impertinence."

Sir Robert, the eighth baronet, who contested the claim, told the judgje: "Mitchell never showed, respect. He never addressed me as Sir Robert, noi Lady Moncrieffe as My Lady. H<curtly told mo it was clear soup, and shouted that I was a pig. I told him to leave the room or I would kick him out. He went down to Lady Moncrieffe and told her that she was n perfect pig. I told him that he should know how to address a gentleman." Mitchell denied having called anybody a pig. He simply said that Sir Robert treated him liko a pig. The judge said that James had undoubtedly been impertinent, and was properly dismissed. Judgment was given for Sir Robert.