TAUMARUNUI COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14144, 20 August 1909, Page 8

TAUMARUNUI COURT.

■- Sir,— the ; opening of the Main Trunk lino and consequent increase of population and | business ' generally in the King • Country the list of cases set down for hearing at ; the usual sittings of the Taumarunui Magistrate's Court has naturally increased, and there is urgent need for' a courthouse.' Since first the sittings have been held in Taumarunui there has been no' other building but the Town Hall in which 1 the business could be done. This building _ * has been the rendezvous for most dances, .* " theatrical companies, and other travelling shows, as well as numerous cheap Jacks. . During the July sitting the Court, which •' was not finished by six p.m., was compelled to adjourn to another ' similar ; building, to j- ( $5 make way for a travelling show. There being §| "V no provision for' witnesses who are ordered: | to remain out of the hearing of certain proceedings, people were compelled to stand ino\"< the cold and- wet until called. At the last , 'A, sitting an auction had been carried on' up till the previous day, the goods of which were;placed in boxes, and piled at one end of the building. Sawdust was strewn over. | the whole of the floor, balls and sheets of paper were strewn throughout. The win*'". dows were in a bad state of repair, through Some of which the chilling wind whistled very forcibly, His Worship getting full bene- > fit as he sat rolled in his travelling rug..;-:' Each member of the Bar also sat with rugs for protection, ; but, despite these efforts,* -ji the Court had to be adjourned several times . to enable people to get Warm, and prevent cramps. _ Recently a petition to the Minister . *• for Justice was drawn up; signed by nearly r every resident in tho district, and presented. , The polite reply has been received—"The matter will be looked into." It is to be . hoped it will. Taumabunui. '