LAW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6590, 1 January 1883, Page 10 (Supplement)

LAW.

The appointment of a new R.M. District Judge. Mi'. H. G. Scth Smith has, for the mcr,t part, exercised the minds of the legal profession during the last month. So far the new Judge and Resident Magistrate appears to have created a favourable opinion. Mr. J. E. Macdonald has assumed the responsibilities of his office as Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court. Mr. Justice Gillies has returned to Auckland from Wellington, where he had been attending the Court of Appeal. This year the quarterly sittings of the Circuit Court for gaol delivery will not be held until the 17th of Januarj" The calendar is extremely heavy, both as regards the number and gravity of the offences charged. We shall have two, possibly three, trials for murder, two or three for indecent assault, and possibly iu one ease a charge of rape. There are more than the usual number of petty larcenies, fraudulent obtaining money by false pretences, &c. The civil cause list does not at present afford any cases of special interest. Actions of damages have been laid by the Corporation against the Tallow and 'dlcod Manure Company and by the Union Sash and Door Company against a Government contractor for stopping a right of way through the openingl in ttie breakwater wall, Mechanics' Bay.