Curious Dispute over Defendant's Nationality In the civil division of the Mixed Court on Saturday, Magistrate Li and Mr. Blackburn refused to take jurisdiction, when a defendant who, claimed Brazilian citizenship was sued for Ts. 20,000, alleged: to be in respect of an indigo shipment supplied and not paid for.
Mr. J. B. Davies, on behalf of the plaintiff, challenged the right of the defendant to Brazilian nationality. Counsel asked Mr. Tavares (who appeared for the defendant) to be explicit as to whether his client was or was not in fact a Brazilian citizen. If the man were, he ought to satisfy the Court by the production of the necessary papers.
Counsel for the defendant replied that defendant had appeared before at the Mixed Court as a plaintiff, suing the plaintiff in the present action. On that occasion, Mr. Scorrar, sitting as Brazilian Assessor, and Mr. Davies' client, then represented by Mr. K. E. Newman, admitted the Brazilian
an gittemsblp. of the present defend-
Mr. Davies—The man should still prove his nationality.
Mr. Tavares—Personally I do not care twopence whether the man is or is not a Brazilian citizen, or of any other nationality. I merely contend that your client cannot acknowledge and deny my client's nationality as he sees fit.
The Assessor, giving the Court's opinion, sustained Mr. Tavares's contention.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.