A PROTEST.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 316, 1 October 1908, Page 7

A PROTEST.

KNOTTY QUESTIONS FOR JUSTICES' OK THE PEACE. : • (bt TELEGUArn—mm association.) 1 ' ' Auckland, September ,30. I-.The knotty questions which justice's are not infrequently called upon to decidoat the Police Court in the absenco of a magistrate aro quite sufficient to give any honest man pause who professes no more than what Khcmledge of law. and its intricato and .wonderful reasonings experienco and observation impart. to. him. This morning at the Auckland Polica'Court the presiding justico put, in a demurrer. A case of somo gravity •was called involving the probabilities of a nice _ and legal discrimination. "I don't consider such a case should come before « bench of justices," said the president. "It makes, me .feel inclined to strike. Wo aro the- great unpaid; we get nothing for out services, and I don't see why wo should be called upon to hoar cases that are undoubtedly work for a' magistrate." Mr. Marsack expressed his'entire agreement with the justice's remarks, adding that tho police had no alternative but to bring tho cases on before justices or abandon their prosecution altog'. tlierl At the conclusion of the samo case the presiding justice again voiced tho opinion it was high time another magistrate, ivn.s appointed. "It is unfair to ask justices to decide' upon points of law," ho commented. "They may bo men of clear judgment-and good intelligence, but it requires a trained mind to decide on such questions as.have just been put to us."