PROTEST AGAINST ADJOURNMENT

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24749, 14 December 1945, Page 8

PROTEST AGAINST ADJOURNMENT

* COMMENT ON «SHORTAGE OF MAGISTRATES”

Comment on "the shortage of magistrates” in Christchurch was made by Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., yesterday, when Mr E. S. Bowie protested against an adjournment sine die hi a case in which he was appearing in the Magistrate’s Court. As counsel for a motorist charged with negligent driving, thereby causing death, Mr Bowie protested against the adjournment because, lie said, the alleged offence had occurred two months previously, and it would be another month before the charges were heard. The matter was one which the District Law Society should take up. Mr Lawry said. Since he returned to Christchurch, two magistrates had been doing the work llial three had done when lie was in (tie city previously. "We have the occasional assistance of Mr MeLachlan, but there are times when he cannot help us because of his work on the West Coast. There is so much work here that It keeps piling up,” he added. Mr Bowie replied that he was a member of the council of the District Law Society, and that protests from the societyhad already gone to Wellington. "The only thing you can do then is to keep on making protests," said the Magistrate. An adjournment sine die was granted.