EARLY OTAGO COURTS

Evening Star, Issue 21581, 29 November 1933, Page 14

EARLY OTAGO COURTS

ADDRESS BY MR R. GILKfSON The first Court of Justice in Otago was opened with much ado, missing jurors were fined, and the court was men adjourned for Jack of cases for hearing, and Mr Robert Gilkison, in an address entitled ‘ Early Courts of Otago ’ at the quarterly social evening of the Otago Justices of the Renee Association last evening. Mr Gilkison referred to the original .Norman times of flic office of justice of the peace, and went on to speak of the appointment of justices in the early days of this province. He referred to the appointment of the first judge for Otago, saying that there had at that time been no need for one, all the cases requiring attention here being capable of being dealt with by a visiting judge. Some illuminating stories concerning this first judge were told by Mr Gilkison, who went on to deal with the events leading up to his withdrawal from Otago. He then referred to certain remarkable eases which had been heard by justices. As many as twelve justices were known to have sat on a case. These events had taken place from seventy to eighty years ago, said Mr Gilkison, who wont on to compare those days with the present, and he concluded by paying a tribute to the justices of to-day. At the conclusion of the address Mr Gilkison was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr E. W. G. H. Watts (president of the association) spoke of matters affecting the association, referring to the sympathetic manner in which the Minister of Justice (Mr J. G. Cobbe) had dealt with all matters recently brought before him by the association. He extended a special welcome to Mr I). M‘Gregor, of Milburn, and Mr D. Harris Hastings, who, he said, was one of the oldest of Dunedin’s justices. During the evening the following contributed items-Airs Belcher and Mr Highct (songs). Miss Molly O’Sullivan (monologue), and MV H. R. D. Moore (card tricks). Mrs Falck was the accompanist.