MEETING OF JUSTICES,

New Zealand Mail, Issue 383, 14 June 1879, Page 9

MEETING OF JUSTICES,

A large meeting of Justices of the Peace was held in the Court on Wednesday, for the purpose o f arranging certain days on which they should sit on the Bench for the disposal of police business. The following gentlemen were present : Drs. Johnston, Diver, and Harding, Captain Holt, Messrs. J. H. Wallace, Levy, G. Crawford, Woodward, G. Hunter, Kebbell, Waterhouse, Tolhurst, Lewis, Holdsworth, W. C. Williams, O'Neill, Dransfield, Smith, E. W. Mills, Tuckey, Seed, Halse, Graham, Shannon, Moore, T. G. McCarthy, Turton, Moeller, Hickson, Duncan, W. Hutchison, Pharazyn, and Graham, J.Ps. Mr. Manskord, R.M., said that he was very pleaded to see sp many gentlemen had answered the circular asking them to attend. He might state that as far back as the 21st May he had received a letter from the Minister of Justice requesting him to convene the preseut meeting, for the purpose of making arrangements for the despatch of the ordinary police business. He had, however, refrained from convening the meeting under the impression that the business miirht have been carried on without putting the justices to more iuconvenience than was absolutely necessary. It was now found, however, that the business could be gone on With no longer, and he feared that some arrangement must now be made, and of course it was desirable such arrangement should be made in the most pleasant way to suit all parties. He considered the best plan to be adopted would be for the justices to hold two sittings a week—Tuesdays and Fridays,—and three justices should sit each time, because it was just possible that when there were only two they would not agree, aud the business consequently would be delayed. On the other hand, if there were three such difficulty would be got over. This arrangement would of course only be a temporary one, as he believed the Government were shortly about to appoint another magistrate, when so far their (the justices') duties were concerned would cease—that is, so far as the arrangements now being made. Mr. Mansford then expressed himself as being pleased at all times to see the justices on thp bench with him. He would leave them to settle between themselves what arrangement they chose to make with regard to their days of sitting. There would have to be about 16 sittings provided for, but. he thought the work would be light, and that two days a week would be ample to get through the business. Mr. Travers said that he was a justice of the peace, and had attended the meeting hoping that his name would not be amongst those who were to sit on the bench. He did not think it was right that a solicitor practising should be on the roll of justices, and he hoped that his name might be struck off. Mr. Holdsworth : Is it possible that the justices will hold their sittings in the cupboard [meaning the oIdR.M. Court] ? I have sat there a few times, and therefore speak from experience. I hope some more suitable place will be obtained.

Mr. Manskord : After we have filled up the list I shall be most happj to make any representations you may suggest to the Government. For my own part I have not been in the place you refer to since the Court has been removed to the present building. Mr. Moore : If you take my advice you'll keep away. Mr. Levy : I should suggest that the Bench should be so arranged that three new justices should not be together. It would be better to have an experienced one with them to set them right. Mr. WaTERHOUSE hoped that those justices who were member-? of the House of Representatives would not be called upon to sit on the Bench during the session. Mr. Woodward : If this arrangement wpre more thau a temporary one I should ask for some concession. As a visiting justice of the gaol I find plenty to do. Mr. Mansford : It is only temporary.

Mr. Levin : Is it only those justices now present who will be asked to sit on the Bench ? Mr. Mansford : No ; all on the roll, and I do not think there are very many absent.

A programme was arranged, by which three justices should sit twice a week. Mr. Tolhurst suggested that if one of the three gentlemen selected to sit on any particular day was unable to attend it would be all the same if he made arrangements for the attendance of another. This was agreed to unanimously. Mr. Woodward hoped that notice would be sent to the justices, informing thetn of the day on which their attendance was required.

Mr. Mansford said that circulars would be sent rouud a day or two before. This concluded the business. The first sitting will take place on the 13th instant.