MINISTER’S REPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1932, Page 4

MINISTER’S REPLY

SUPREME COURT AT HOKITIKA BUSINESS NOT,SUFFICIENT. In answer to representations made by him, to the effect that the Supreme Court at Hokitika be not closed, Mr J. O’Brien M.P., has received the following reply from the Minister of Justice:— ‘ ‘Dear Sir, —With regard to the representations made by you to me recently in regard to the closing of th 6 Supreme Court et Hokitika, the position i : S ,a<S: fellows : ' i Us The fixtures* for the various Supreme .Court sittings are made by their Honours the. Judge'Sy! and not by the Justice Department,, which lias no power in the matter. So far as ‘Hokitika is concerned, .1 find from the returns that during the eight years ending 31st March, 1931. twenty-four sittings of thq Su preme Court were fixed. During that period only ten criminal cases and fifteen civil cases were heard; an- average of one criminal case and two civil cases for each year. 1 "

fc As Hokitika is only 24 miles from Greymouth, with a regular train service and a good road, it is considered that the amount of business) set out above does not warrant the holding of a Supreme Court at Hokitika.— Yours faithfully, John G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice.”