VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 59, 23 July 1859, Page 2

VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT.

Saturday, July 16. [Before Mr. Judge Johnston.]

His Honour, according to notice, took his seat this morning, at half-past ten o'clock, as Deputy ViceAdmiral ; and having inquired if any gentleman present claimed to act as a Marshal, Bailiff, Registrar, Proctor, or Doctor, or other officer of the Court of Vice- Admiralty, and receiving no answer, he declared the Court to be open for the despatch of business. No business having been presented to the Court, his Honour then declared the sitting to be at an end. His Honour explained to the profession that what might at first sight seem to be a farce, was really a matter of importance, as there was no doubt cases would arise from time to time requiring the adjudication of the Vice-Admiralty Court, and at present there seemed to be no machinery in existence for bringing the Court into operation. The orders of the High Court of Admiralty, respecting the Vice-Ad-miralty Courts in the colonies, now in existence, did not seem to contemplate cases where there are more Courts than one in a colony ; and without the existence of such officers as he had mentioned, no proceedings could be taken in such Courts. The Legislature of New Zealand, he contended, had no power oxer the Vice-.A.«3miralty Courts, and the Judges of tho Supreme Court held & separate commission aa Deputy Vice-Admirals. It would appear that Barristers and Solicitors at Auckland had assumed to act as Doctors and Proctors, but he was not aware by what authority they did so. His Honour intimated that it might be necessary to refer, through his Excellency the Governor, to the authorities at home, in order to procure orders in Council or rules from the Admiralty Court, which might meet the exigencies of this colony, and the profession might take steps to discover what would be necessary in order to entitle them to act as Proctors and Doctors.