JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 5

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

HISTORY SINCE TIME OF EDWARD 111

FUNCTIONS OUTLINED BY POLICE OFFICER An outline of Court procedure, the issuing of warrants and the general duties of a Justice of the Peace was given by a police officer. Sub-Inspector J. C. Fletcher, at a meeting of the Christchurch Justices of the Peace Association last evening. A body known as the Justices of the Peace was formed during the reign of Edward 111, when powers to deal with criminal matters were first vested in them, said Sub-Inspector Fletcher. Th* body closely followed the lines of the old Conservation of Peace, an organisation which traced its origin to Archbishop Hubert in the twelfth century. “Those were the good old days when the church counted for something.” he said. The old Archbishop appointed knights in 1195, for it was most important that the peace be kept in the King’s realm. Where there is.no law j-nd order, there is anarchy, and livin<* conditions are impressible. That is why it is necessary to have the forces; of law and order kept un to standard, and that is why the Government is so concerned at the present time abojit the Police Force. The Justice* of the Peace and the Police Force have to work together, as they have done through the ages, for they have the responsibility of keening law and order in the king’s realm.” Sub-Inspector Fletcher said that till the rePm of Henry VTL Justices of the were empowered to deal with felonies and cert-in other criminal shatters. Until recent times. Justices had h*rn appointed from the moneved classes and the landed gen+rv. SubT nsrector Fletcher said. “Tn thos* davs. no woman could be appointed ” he‘ said. “Women wen* kept in their proner place. They keof the thing within nroper bounds.’’ In modem times. Justice* were selected from persons of good repute. ~ood oosition. and some standing in the community, he said Women hold office.