PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR.

North Otago Times, 14 September 1865, Page 2

PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR.

The following is a copy of the Petition referred to in our last issue, relative to the extension of the jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrate's Court here, and tho appointment of a Clerk to the Bench. There is another of a similar tenor to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to forward it to its destination. These documents, most numerously and infiuentially signed, have beeu despatched, and, it is to be hoped, will be productive of the desired results : — Unto His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B., Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, A:c. The Petition of the undersigned merchants, bankers, householders, landholder, and inhabitants of the Town and District of Onmaru, in the Province of Otago, H.UMBLY SHEWETH— That the " Resident Magistrate's Jurisdiction Extension Act, 1862," authorises your Excellency to declare that the limit of the jurisdiction of any Magistrate's Court shall be extended. That your peUtionei s aro situated at a great distance (about ninety miles) from Dunedin, the seat of the Supreme Comt of the Province, and as the Resident Magistrate, who sits at Oainaru and the branch Court at Hampden, has only jurisdiction to the extent of twenty pounds, your petitioners are compelled in many instances to bear heavy losses by the restriction of their claims to that sum, or to incur intolerable delay and expense by seeking redress in the Supreme Court. That the distiictof Oamaru is oue of large extent; and both it find the town, a seaport one, are increasing in population, while the amount of business transacted therein is very considerable, and of such importance as urgently to require the extension of the jurisdiction, and the appointment of a Clerk to the Bench, us in other places of similar or even of lesser importance ; nnd that your Excellency has been pleased of late to proclaim an extension of jurisdiction in several towns in the Colony and in this Province. That for the proper constitution of the Magistrate'! Court in this district, it is necessary that a Clerk to the Bench should be appointed ; and these are measures which the community are earnestly desirous to see carried out, as tending greatly to facilitate the transaction of business in the district. Your petitioners therefore pray that it may please your Excellency, with the consent of tho Council, to declare and pioclaim that tho limits of the jui isdiction of the Magistrate'* Courts in Oamntu, including Hampden, shall be er tended and fixed at one hundred pounds, or such sum as your Excellency may direct ; and also to appoint a Clerk to the Bench in the said district. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c, &c. f Qere follow tho signatures. ]