To the Editor of the New-Zualander.

New Zealander, Volume 12, Issue 1116, 27 December 1856, Page 3

To the Editor of the New-Zualander.

Sir, — As there are several vessels about to sail Eastward and to the South, to-morrow, and m a few days, would you oblige the public by giving your opinion to the following questions ? Is a lies dent Magistrate legally allowed to arrest any person without a warrant ? Is a Resident Magis'rate legally allowed to forcibly enter a private s'ore, knock in the head of a cask, supposing the same to contain contraband goods, carry the head of the said cask up to Auckland (which 1 consider is a theft), and present the same head of the cask to our Collector of Customs in Auckland (who wisely, will have nothing to do with the case) ? Is a Resident Magistrate legally allowed to assault the wife of a European settler, or to attempt to arrest her without a warrant ? Is a Resident Magis rate legally allowed to purchase wheal, it even trading with his own boat or otherwise, of the natives, for the sake of gain, he hemg paid for his hi e by the General Government lor what they consider his services worth? Is a Resident Magistrate legally allowed to purchase land from the natives on his own account, merely because he is a Magistrate? Is a Resident Magistrate legally allowed to urge pa’ti's to bring actions into his Court when the same might, have been settled out of Court? Is a Resident Magistrate legally allowed to force any settler's door open, say with an axe, or threaten to do the same if the kers of the -lore are not given up to him for searching purposes. In* (the Magistrate) showing no searching warrant ? Is a Resident Magistrate capable of doing justice to some of our out-stations, who is a mere hov ; knows nothing of the native manners, customs, or la- gi.age ; veivlustv; and merely appointed, 1 presume, by one of our aristocracy because he came out to this colony m the same ship with him ? An answer will oblige. Yours obidienlly, Dec. 26, 1856. Waiter Buddie. [On re fere uce to the Resident Magistrates’ Ordinance, we do not perceive any clauses meeting “ the cases ” put by Mr. Brodie. — Ed. N.Z.]