LEGAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 143, 18 June 1891, Page 6

LEGAL.

Dr. Yon Mirbach has been made a Justice of the Peace.

In bankruptcy, 11. A. Johnston, farmer, of Berwick, Dunedin, better known in sporting circles, had his certificate suspended for six months.

In tho Wellington Supreme Court on May 29 the Chief Justice delivered judgment in tho case of Richardson and others versus the owners of the ship Rangitikei. The claim was for salvage arising m Napier roadsted, where the ship was in danger through the anchor?. His Honor decided that £1,000 should be paid the owners, master ana crew of the steamers Funny and Ahunri, who went to the assistance of the Kangitike:. The judgment carried costs.

The new Commission of tho Peace contains 125 new names, but the list is not increased, those appointed replacing the names removed by death or other causes. The following Auckland names are on the new Commission : — Richard Cameron, Auckland; Jas. Groom, Auckland ; J. M. Lennox, Remuera ; Francis Pavitt, Piako ; William Tattley, Huntly ; 1. W. P. Smith, Kaifcaia ; Charles Roberts. Kaitaia; A. F. J. Yon Stunner, Hamilton; F. J. Edwards, Tairua; J. Philips, junr., Paeroa: Jas. McGovvan, Thames ; P. F. Day, Kaino ; Edwd. McDonnell, Thames ; Jas. Renshaw, Thames.

A rather peculiar ca?6 came before Judge Richmond at Wellington on June 10. W. J. Meek, of Wellington, sued Alice Attwood, spinster, Christchurch, successfully for the return of rings, bracelet, locket, etc., valued at £70, and £30 damages for detention. From the evidence of the plaintiff, who is a widower, it appeared his wife died in August, and in December he proposed and was accepted by tho defendant, lie allowed her to wear the jewellery on condition that she married him in January, but the engagement was broken off. Defendant refused to return the jewellery, and he had never been able to fret it back from her. In cross-examination it appeared the plaintiff's age was 66, and he had since married again. A legal case which has aroused a great deal of attention, owing to the curious details brought out in evidence, has just concluded in the Supreme Court here. It was an action for £448 for jewellery and money, brought by James Rae, pawnbroker, against A. R. Greenway, solicitor. The defendant recently inherited over £10,000, and celebrated his heirship in such reckless dissipation that he is now detained in a lunatic asylum in the South. The case all hinged on the question whether Greenway was so drunk at the time he made the purchases that he did nob know what he was doing. The jury found that lie was not incapable of taking part in a bargain of the sort, and returned a verdict for £248 and costs.

Tho Supreme Court of Appeal, by a majority of one, has affirmed the validity of the appointment of Mr Edwards ixb a Judge of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice and Mr Justice Conolly dissented from the finding of the three other judges who sab with them upon the case. The effect- of thia decision is that the Ministry of the day may indefinitely increase the number of Supreme Court judges, and that Parliament, however much itmay disapproveof any of theselifeappointments, will be bound to vote the salary which has been promised. Such a state of affairs is a standing menace to the integrity of the Bench and a violation of the first principles of parliamentary government. The Government has definitely decided to appeal to the Privy Council in re Judge Edwards, and the necessary papers are now being prepared. Sir Robert Stout gives a denial to the report that he goes Home to conduct the Edwards appeal.