MAGISTRATE'S COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23150, 23 September 1938, Page 16

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

NEED FOR ALTERATIONS The need for extensive alterations io the Auckland Magistrate's Courthouse to provide for at least one additional courtroom has been emphasised during the past few days and, in view of the fact that the Public Works estimates for this year make provision for £SOOO for such alterations and a survey of the building being made by Public Works officers, it seems likely that the work will be commenced within the next few months. The present arrangements at the Magistrate's Court are that all indictilikf charges are to lie heard ill the lower courtroom and cases arising from motoring offences in the upstairs room. Civi) cases and special hearings, such ns the present, marine inquiry, are dealt with in the auxiliary court room. Frequently, however, it is found necessary for indictible charges to he hoard it) the upper courtroom, this often being the case 011 Mondays and Fridays. T\Vo other reasons that, have been put forward for the need for alterations are the poor acoustics of each courtroom and the inadequacy of the waiting rooms for both defendants and witnesses. Much inconvenience has been caused recently by the congestion in arising from this latter