COURTESY ON THE BENCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143450, 10 March 1911, Page 2

COURTESY ON THE BENCH.

Some time ago we had occasion to comment in unfavourable terms upon the want of courtesy and consideration shown by Mr. Justice Edwards when presiding over the Supreme Court sessions in this town. Though our remarks can scarcely have escaped his Honour’s notice they were apparently without effect, for there was noticeable during the sessions just ended the same want of courtesy towards some of the counsel appearing before the court tlmt we had formerly complained of. On the earlier occasion wo took particular exception to his overbearing manner towards voting counsel, who were entitled to all' the encouragement, assistance, and patience the presiding judge could give them in their inexperience, provided of course, that in their own manners they observed due respect towards the bench. During the sessions just ended it wen painful to observe on the part of his Honour a singular want of courtesy and consideration towards the Crown Prosecutor in the conduct of case* hoard by the court. Mr, T, S. Weston always observes studied courfcosv towards the bench, and his long and honourable professional experience entitles him to similar courtesy on the other side. But Mr. Justice Edwards displayed a quoruloiisncss and impatience which detracted from the dignity of his position and could not lie othorwiso than offensive to those who like to see the business of the court conducted with something of the dignity which was so pleasant a feature of the court over which the late Sir George Arncy used to preside. We know, of course, that there is much to try the patience of a judge on the bench, hut it is not right that hr should vent his impatience upon unoffending counsel or witnesses. Nor is it in the best of taste for a presidin'' judge to suggest, by way of a joke, that an old man applying for a divorce docs so in order that he may bo free to marry a young girl. Such a remark mav appear witty to Mr. Justice Edwards, hut to many it was more offensive than humorous.