HASTINGS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7738, 18 April 1896, Page 3

HASTINGS.

[OWN COBEKSPONDENT.]

A case in tjia Magistrate's Court yesterday fully illustrated the folly of rushing into the Law Courts upon all and every occasion that any little difference may arise, it wao euoh a oaso that any mutual friend of ordinary intelligence oould have settled in five minute*. It was dear to any observer that neither party wanted to obtain an unf air over the other, and yet it wasted two thirds of a Court day, elicited wh-le toinea of forensic eloquence and learning, and will coht the plaintiff about twelve times the real amount in dispute. It was simply a case of bad luck On the 'Jontinent of Europe, in Holland, I Snow, t»nd in other countries, I bolieve, there is a Uourt of first instance wbiob acts remarkably well. The entire Court consists of one gentleman called the Judge D'iiutruction -■■no lawyers, no reporters, no public, iho matter ia fully thrashed out, and the Magistrate (a lawyer I think) calmly points out the of tho whole matter, and adrisea what id fair to both parties. In about two-thirde of the oaaoH the parties consent to the deoiflion. 7 here are no Court oosts. The balanoe of the cafes are remitted to the public Courts. -Such a case aa I have ulluded to would have barm briefly and finally settled without a penny of coats to either party. It was not far wrong to suppose that wo should soon have a change of weather. Wβ had it to some purpose last night—thunder, lightniugi and rain, and this morning cold bleak winter. it was thought that tho meeting of tho oeoond fifteen of the County Football Club J would "be held at Havelook, bat better 5 counsels prevailed. The moeting was held • '-•*■ "astingfl last night, when the officers I wore elects ■■r.ptsi- Sweell, M.H.&., fa to be requested to accept tho ofhoe of president W. ifillis. 0. Cuulton, and iJiirnerou were elected vice - presidents ; captain, T. floiior; vios-oaptain, F. Oauiiou; delegate to Union, l>. gponoe; aoqreiary, J. Wawn. Wesleyaa Methodist Church, Hastings, «cv Or. Hookinjr, the appointed minister, will preaoh on Sunday morning and evening. Morning subject,«' The True and tho False Priest." Evening subjeot, "The Growth of Ohafaoter." *