“The Press” In 1864

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30447, 22 May 1964, Page 12

“The Press” In 1864

THE RESIDENT MAGISTRACY The resignation of Mr Joseph Brittan, as Resident Magistrate of Christchurch, will be learned with much regret by all the suitors of the Court. No Magistrate has yet sat upon the bench who has combined so many of the qualities most valuable in the holder of such an office. His uniform courtesy, and painstaking and patient care in investigating the cases which came before him, won the confidence not only of the suitors, but of the counsel practising in the Court. He found, however, that the labors of the office were greater than he could sustain without injury, and a, recent severe illness induced him to resign. Mr Charles Bowen who has been appointed his successor Is a

gentlemen whose long employment in the public service, dating almost from the commencement of the settlement, and including several important and responsible offices, is a sufficient recommendation for the office. Mr Bowen has for some years sat on the bench as a magistrate, and will bring experience as well as ability to the service of the public in his new office. But he must make a very good Resident Magistrate to obliterate the memory of. or at least regret for, his predecessor.

From private letters we learn that the new Provincial Engineer, Mr George Aicken, sailed from Gravesend ft the Amoor. on the. Ist April. He has received his appointment from Mr G. R.

Stephenson, who has a high opinion of his abilities and experience. By the same ship, Mr Theophilus Varley, also sailed to take the place of Mr Sheath as Telegraph Superintendent of this Province. By the British Empire, to sail on the 15th May, we may expect Mr Robert Speechly, who has been appointed Resident Architect for the Cathedral, with a salary of £250 a year, for four years. The Harbor Commission were hard at work, “Stephenson, M’Lean, Abernethy, Admiral Fitzroy, Admiral Lord Stokes, Captain Birstall, Evans, the Hydrographer, and Bray,” appear to be the gentlemen employed, so that we may expected all the advice which engineering and nautical science has at its disposal.