JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 4

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

ANNUAL MEETING AT GREYMOUTH MR-DOUGLAS TAYLOR GIVES ADDRESS Art address was given by Mr W. Douglas Taylor at the annual meeting of the West Coast Justices of the Peace Association at Greymouth yesterday. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.. presided over a large attendance from all parts of the West Coast. Mr Taylor described the various systems of crime detection in England, France, Germany, and Austria, and ixpiained many "aspects of the duties of ' istices of the Peace in New Zealand. One little I mown duty, said Mr Taylc •, was that of reading the Riot Act, if called on, “from such distance as may be judged safe.” About 20 years ago the Riot Act had actually been read by a Justice at Dunedin, but instances were fortunatelv rare. On that occasion the crowd had quickly dispersed. “You Justices,” said Mr Taylor, "have the opportunity from your deliberations to make representations about the law of your country, and here is a matter you might consider.- Where a monetary penalty is imposed by our Courts,. the offender has the right of appeal, If the penalty be more than £5. But an offender sentenced to imprisonment has no such right to appeal, unless his sentence be for more than one month. That Is a cruel anomaly in the law and seems to place a discount on human liberty.” In moving a vote of thanks to Mr Taylor for his able address, Mr Ferner said that the position of the law about appeals was as stated by Mr Taylor. “I have seen a draft of amendments to certain laws,” said Mr Ferner, “but it does hot contain anything along the lines suggested by Mr Taylor. In my opinion, that is a fit subject for discussion by this association.”

. The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr J. Taylor; vice-patron, Mr H. J. Bignall; ..'resident, Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.; vice-presidents, Messrs D. J. Evans (Hokitika), T. H. Lee (Reefton), and E. R. Fox (Westport); council, Messrs P. J. McLean, D. Tennett, W. J. OgilVie, J. Kyle, J. M. Bunt, and F. W. Shallcrass; honorary auditor, Mr McLean; honorary secretary, Mr M. J. Fogarty. It Was decided to hold quarterly luncheon meetings in future. The balance-sheet showed that receipts totalled £7O 12s lOd, and the credit balance at the bank was £6l 18s lOd.

SHIPPING PORT OF GREYMOUTH [THE PRESS Special Service.] GREYMOUTH, June 22. The Poolta arrived in the roadstead from Wellington this morning. When conditions are favourable she will berth, to load for Wellington. The Kauri is expected to sail to-night with timber for Melbourne. The Gael is expected to sail to-night for Hokitika to load timber for Wellington. She will return from Wellington to load for Bruce Bay and Okuru. The Waimea will sail to-night, if the bar moderates, with timber for Port Waikato. From there she will sail for Onehunga, returning to Greymouth next Wednesday to load timber for Port Waikato. The Rata is due to-morrow morning from Wellington, via Nelson and Westport. After discharge of general cargo she will load coal and posts for Nelson and Wanganui. The KaHigi, delayed in loading last night by rain, cannot sail before 5 a.m. to-morrow for Miramar and Wellington. The Hokitika, with Wellington cargo, will leave Tarakohe this afternoon and is due here to-morrow afternoon. The Totara. delayed at Wellington by rain, will leave there to-night with cargo for Greymouth. She will load here on Friday for return to Wellington. The Gabriella is due on Saturday from Gisborne to load for Auckland. The Kalingo is due on Saturday from Wanganui to load timber for Sydney and Newcastle. The Karu is expected to leave New Plymouth on Saturday night and will start loading timber here on Monday morning for Petone, Miramar, and Wellington. The Titoki is due on Monday from Plcton to load coal for Tarakohe.

PORT OP WESTPORT [THE PRESS Special Service.] WESTPORT, June 22. The Canopus is an expected arrival from Auckland on Thursday. The Wingatui, which has been held Up by heavy seas on the bar, will sail for Wellington to-day. The Kakapo arrived to-day from Napier and will load for New Plymouth and Wellington. The Kaimai is an expected arrival on Friday from Lyttelton. The Kaimlro is an expected arrival from Portland on Monday and will sail for Melbourne. The Rata arrived from Nelson to-day and will proceed to Greymouth to load for Little Wanganui. The Tltoki arrived to-day from New Plymouth and will load for New Plymouth and Picton. High tide at Westport to-morrow, 5.25 a.m. and 6.07 p.m. (New Zealand standard lime).