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Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10526, 2 December 1916, Page 11

It was stated by Mrl T. \V. Howe in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court re|cently that a witness from the Land Transfer Oflico would not be allowed to attend the Court to give evidence unless a fee of one guinea was paid. The Magistrate (Mr rT. W. Bishop) said that ho could not credit the statement; [and he would send over to the Department for ;m official to explain the reason for the charge. It showed how long lone could he in the Public Service and nor find out all the regulations. The clerk of the Court had never been paid [when giving evidence at ihe Supreme Court. Mr Howe said that, the guinea went nor to the witness, but to the public funds. Mr .1. A. Ambrose, of the Land Transfer Office, attended later and said that the guinea was charged in accordance with the lees laid down by the Land Transfer Act, and was nominally for the production of documents, j The charge was laid down by the Gov-ernor-in-Oouneil. Mr Bishop said that | lie did not care for fifty Goveraors-in-Council; lie would not allow the proceedings of the Court to be interfered with. In this instance he would allow the guinea expenses, as the Government wanted all the money it could get in these times. i