MAGISTRATE CRITICISED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 46, 22 February 1918, Page 6

MAGISTRATE CRITICISED.

LEGAL FRATERXJTY AXNOYKD. Tt is an open secret (says the " New : Zealand Times ") that a certain ! ■ trato in Wellington ift anything but I popular with the legal fraternity of the j Icily. Some time back a "deputation from the Law Society waited on the then Minister for Justice iii reference to this magistrate and another associate then ! dealing out sentences and decisions in Wellington. Now it is understood that the magistrate referred to in the firtit jilacc i-; to be the subject of a second deputation to the present Minister for ■ •lustioe. Solicitors state that they have! chufed long enough under t!ie decisions : of this.magistrate. Hi*.. Attitude, in many civil cases hae met with anything but favour. I The lirst direct reference to this particular stipendiary magistrate's deoij sions was made in ■ the Supreme Court i ; this week in a certain appeal against his decision in a ease. The speaker wae a prominent local legnl light, a "KX\," I who, alter making some references to the magistrate in question, eaid:I " Speaking quite frankly, there was a very general feeling amo"ng the profca- , sion that in re.gard to the court presided ; over by the magistrate from whom the i appeal was brought, there wa« far too I great a tendency to believe the police I evidence as conclusive, and it was futile to attempt a defence contradictory of any su.-h evidence."' This statement has caused a revival of feeling among the gentlemen who are such keen seekers after "costs." The remark has been very actively discussed