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Observer, Volume 1, Issue 5, 16 October 1880, Page 36

Both of our Eesident Magistrates not only appreciate humour, but frequently crack jokes themselves when presiding over the Court. Encouraged by such eminent examples, some of the justices' occasionally make attempts, more or less successful, at wit. Thus, recently one of them Avas hearing an unimportant case when the complainant quoted some words he had addressed to the defendant. " What did he reply ?" asked his Worship. "He told me to go to the devil, sir," was the answer, " Did you go ?" enquired the J.P. "I went to Mr. C," responded the complainant. "You followed defendant's direction very accurately," said his Worsbip. The audience tittered approvingly, and the justice smole a self complacent smile, when Mr. C, the complainant's counsel, immediately rose and remarked, " It is true, your Worship; that complainant came to me, but it was only on his way to his ultimate destination— your Worship's presence. " The audience tittered again, more approvingly, but he complacent smile faded like magic, and his Worship became absorbed in the pages of "The New Zealand Justice of the Peace. " Since then he has never attempted to crack a joke to which a retort was possible.