Registrar tells of ‘agony’

Press, 7 May 1983, Page 16

Registrar tells of ‘agony’

PA Wellington The registrar of the New Zealand District Court at Wellington, Mr Neil Cameron, has told how he had “agonised” over the minor offence prosecution irregularities since they were discovered. He told the commission of inquiry into the irregularities: “Living with this thing has been extremely difficult.”

Under cross-examination Mr Cameron said that he did not believe there was one easy answer about why the irregularities arose, but contributing factors were

the unsatisfactory physical working conditions, the volume of paper coming into the system, and the inconsistencies in the lodgment of prosecution notices. Mr Cameron said that there may have been other factors too, but, “Even accepting all that, I cannot condone for one minute all those things (irregularities).” Asked whether any connection could be drawn between over-work ,in the minor offences section and the criminal charges four clerks were convicted of, Mr Cameron said: “I accept they, and others, were under

considerable pressure, but that does not make for any excuse for undertaking those criminal acts.” A commission member, Mr Gideon Tait, wanted to know whether Mr Cameron would change his management style now he had had the benefit of hindsight. Mr Cameron said: “I hope I have learnt a great deal from this ... only time will tell. I cannot change my nature and approach over night.”

The registrar had said earlier that it was not his style to look through work baskets on staff members’ desks.