Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/94

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The English Law Courts.

71

behalf to the Judicial Committee for special justice of the Bahama Islands during the leave to appeal against the conviction. In lifetime of the late Conservative government. substance it was of a two-fold character. He sailed for the " Land of the Pink Pearl," First, it was alleged that certain affidavits and entered upon his judicial duties. On were on their way from this country to Aus one occasion a colonist who had been a liti tralia, which might convince the colonial gant in the Supreme Court sent him a pres authorities that Deeming was insane, and so ent of pineapples. The chief-justice re induce them to advise Her Majesty to exer turned the gift, and made some observations cise her prerogative of mercy. Then it was, on the subject from the bench, in the course rather by implication of which he said that than otherwise, sug he had " to sustain gested that on the the rectitude " of the resident magistrates. evidence before the colonial court Deem Mr. Moseley, the ed ing was improperly itor of a local paper, convicted. The ap "The Nassau Guar plication was refused. dian," published in In giving the decision his columns a letter of the Judicial Com from a correspond mittee, Lord Halsent, in which Mr. bury, then Lord Yelverton's conduct Chancellor, pointed was ironically com out that the first pared with that of ground on which the Chief-Justice Gasapplication was based coigne, who taught was not one with Prince Hal, in the which the Privy reign of Henry IV., Council could have that the law was any concern (but was above the Crown, matter for the con and sarcastic com sideration of the ex ments were made up ecutive); while, in on the pineapple in regard to the second, cident and on Mr. the Privy Council Yelverton's fitness were merely being LORD BRAMWBLL. for his post. Mr. invited to review the Yelverton summoned verdict of the jury on question of fact. Mr. Moseley to his chambers, and demanded Deeming was therefore executed with the the name of the writer and the deliveringup of the offending manuscript. Mr. approval of the whole civilized world. IV. In addition to these jurisdictions, the Moseley refused compliance with the de Privy Council has authority, as we have mand. Thereupon he received notice to seen, to consider any other matters referred appear before the chief-justice, and was promptly committed for contempt. The to it by the Crown. The most recent in Governor, Sir Ambrose Shea, released stance of the exercise of this power is the him; and the legal question raised by this case of Mr. Yelverton, the ex-chief-justice unfortunate conflict, viz., whether the con of the Bahamas. Mr. Roger Dawson Yel tempt of court alleged to have been com verton, barrister at law, was appointed chief-