OVERWORKED.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 6

OVERWORKED.

♦ CSFY MAGISTRATES. ANOVBBR ONE WANTED. Mr E. A. Young, 8.M., t*o collapsed in tie stroot after x particularly heavy Court day on Friday, unable to preside over an inquest set down for Saturday, ae it was stated that he was in need of a rest. Very deaided opinions have been expressed recently that the Christchurch Magistrates —Messrs W iddowson and Young—are overworked. Several solicitors have given it as their opinion that a third Magistrate should be appointed. There are three Magistrates in Wellington and the same amount, if not more business is put through in Christchurch than in the oapital city. Work is Increasing. There was no doubt, said Mr W. J. Hunter, president of the Oanterbury Law Society to a representative of "The Press' who called on him on Saturday morning, that the two existing Magistrates were greatly overworked. Mr Young's illness was no doubt due to the way he had been overworked since he took up his duties in Christchurch. The Magistrates were also chairmen of the licensing benches. They attended country Courts, and, in addition, they were Coroners. Recently Mr H. P. Lawry, of "Westport, was assisting on the Christchurch Magisterial bench, and it was rumoured then that he might remain here as a third Magistrate. But after a short period he was transferred away again.

Aa Eoonomio Loss. "Dte number of maintenance and matrimonial oases and also motor cases," said Mr Hunter, " is now so great that not infrequently they have to stand over to a second or third day. The parties and the witnesses have to leave their work and be ready, and the members of the legal profession also have to be ready when caUed upon. The result is a considerable general loss." "Both of the present Magistrates," he continued, "had far more work than they could possibly do in reasonable hours. Vtoree Magistrate's Wanted. 'lt is absolutely essential that we have three Magistrates here. I understand that there are some towns in the South Island which have a Magistrate where the work is extremely light. With a little organisation of the existing Magistrates there should be no difficulty in placing a third Magistrate in Christchurch. The matter will be brought' before the Council of the Law Society."