SUPREME COURT OF CACTUS GROVE. WINTER SESSIONS

Gun Flash, Issue XXXIX, 17 July 1943, Page 2

SUPREME COURT OF CACTUS GROVE. WINTER SESSIONS

Blundell Vs* Christoff The action arose from the defendant Christoff borrowing from the Plaintiff, Blundell, one packet of Yankee fags and giving as security for the said loan one promissory note - whict contained no demand or due date. Further, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant had been guilty of false pretence, slander and blackmail, and that he, the defendant, was a person unbecoming to society# And of course, damages were sought - a truly formidable claim# Plaintiff was represented by Arthui? Smith, TBF, OS2U, PB2Y2, and the defendant by Messrs# Cooper and Lusby, Barristers, Painters and Bookies# His Lordship, Judge Stokoe, was ably supported by Associate Gwynne Ellis, R.A.P.E., and the clerk of the Court, Eustace Asby-Palmer, proved that by being a farner in civil life, he had definitely chosen the wrong vocation# The twelve good men and bad, heade d by foreman "Bill 1 Hopkins, were excellent (we may except one Bourgeois who had to be continually awakened by the stentorian notes of Court Crier Phillips.) Space will not permit a detailed account of the which is perhaps as well, since slander charges would inevitably ensue. Sufficient to say that many witnesses were called, examined and crossscrewed by both counsel. Perhaps, of the witnesses, the notables were

’’Blwdger" Dansby«3cott, who had difficulty n explaining the origin of h s Christian name, to which counsel Cooper took exception, Fred McDonald, who was obentualiy accepted as being ONLY from tho bush, without .further appellation. And pressman Erls Bygrave, who, although called by the defence, dur there! the prosecution by his testimony. Both Counsel pleaded well for their respective clients, and addressed on impose donate ptea to tho jury (who asked tho usual inane questions) and Judge Stoke© 1 s summing up was a remarkable and masterly piece of orator; partly associated with the case itself.' The jury, after a short retirement (hurried along since supper was ready and waiting) brought in a verdict in favour* of the plaintiff - finding tho defendant guilty on the charge of false pretence, end with damages to boot* Judge Stokoe, in inimitable style, slated tho defendant, and duly sentenced ’him to a long string of penances - after which the court was closed for the night.

Flashes from the Court Roan# Clerk of. the Court, • Asby-Palmer, swearing in members of jury and witnesses on the "bib.io” - a gun drill book (weight: ten pounds)* Judgefes Associate Ellis waking up as each witness was called and enquiring anxiously, "Is he charged with rape?” Water-Sider McNabb showing signs of boiling when his mates at home were taped. Pages could be writton on the many passages of wit, but space will not allow© Enough to.say that /the case held the interest/ it aroused, and ab above all., justice (?) was upholds Further mooted cases for the session ere eager ly awaitode (Editor, pleasef Messrs Cooper & Lusby, and Aurthur Smith (TBF, OS2U, PB2Y2) dies ire to know if it is possible to advertise in your publication 0

? Many of us' are now wondering what kind of .war th.is is turning into, and -snail wonder, with farewells to "Coast” and chances of transfers to the R.N.Z#A.F. After almost four years of living up to the motto "Once a Coastee, always a Coastee”, and repeated rejection of applications for transfer to the ’’Blue orchids” we now find the boot on the other foot - hence the surprise* «O -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 -0 wQ»»O«»O -O-O"