WELLINGTON NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8582, 8 September 1893, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

September 7. Since taking up the position of Resident Magistrate heie Mr Martin has commented in very strong terms on the flatly contradictory nature of the evidence of facts given in some cases, and in more - than one instance has expressed an inclination to commit for perjury. In a case to-day a most barefaced piece of false swearing occurred. A man named Thomas was being sued by Mr Coates, solicitor, on a promissory note alleged to be given by defendant and two others for defending them in a criminal prosecution. The promissory note had been lost, but Mr Coates* clerk and one of the men who signed it, proved its existence. Defendant, however, denied that he had ever signed it, stating that he could neither read or write. Court documents were produced with defendant's signature, which he admitted, attached. Mr Martin gave judgment against the man, and ordered a warrant to be immediately issued for his arrest on a charge of perjury. The case cornea on shortly, aud this prompt action should have a good effect in putting down to some extent the great amount of false swearing which goes on in the Court here. % The Government steamer Stella, upon which large amounts of money have been expended, and' which has been lying in harbour for years going to ruin, ia to be sold if possible; the Government are inviting tenders for her purchase. The Salvation Army are about to build a fine imposing building here as barracks. A motion by Mr W. Lingard at the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club last night, to have added to the rules of racing that no Club official should adjudicate on any case in which he was monetarily interested, has rouaed much comment amongst the patrons of the turf. Though the motion was withdrawn, because the Chairman (Mr H. D. Bell) said it would be opening a floodgate for litigation, there prevails a pretty general feeling that such motion was a wise step in the right direction, as a Steward holding totalisator ticKets would, under certain circumstances, be more or less biased.