Too few courts for magistrates

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 13

Too few courts for magistrates

The physical inadequacies of the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court have been highlighted this week: there are seven magistrates, but only five courtrooms are available.

Some cases have been heard in the magistrate’s chambers, the solicitors’ rooms, or the No. 2 court of the old Supreme Court building in Chester Street. The presence of seven magistrates — Christchurch’s full complement—is new for

court staff. After Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., left a few months ago five magistrates remained. However, Mr N. L. Bradford, S.M., has replaced Mr Headifen, and Mr H. J. Evans, S.M., returned this week from sabbatical leave. At the beginning of the year seven courtrooms were available. One of these has now been converted into a magistrate’s chambers, and another—No. 2 courtroom—is being repainted. One of the remaining courts is usually taken up by Justices of the Peace hearing depositions, which means that only four courts are available for the magistrates. CIRCUIT DUTIES Some relief should come next week, however, when two of the magistrates will be on circuit duties on the West Coast, in Ashburton, and at other centres. In Wellington, accommodation problems have been solved by holding selected court proceedings in other buildings. These proceedings include prosecution of young offenders and domestic matters. In Hamilton, all proceedings are being held in a community hall until the Magistrate’s Court building is completed.