MEETING OF JUSTICES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5679, 12 June 1879, Page 3

MEETING OF JUSTICES.

A largemeo'ting of Justices of the Pence Was hold intheß.M. Court yesterday, 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, 1 Diver, and Harding, Captain Holt, Messrs.; J. H. Wallace, Levy, 1 G. Crawford, Woodward, G. Kebbel], Waterhouse, Tolhurst, Lewis, Holdsworth, W. C. Willi arcs, O’Neill, •. Drimsfield, Smith, E. \V. Mills, Tuckey, Seed, Halse, Graham, Shannon, Moore, T. G. McCarthy, Turton, Moeller, Hickson, ■ Duncan, W. Hutchison,- Pharazyn, and Graham, J.Ps., Mr. Mansfobd, E.M., said that he was very

pleased to see so many gentlemfenlhad answered the circular asking them to attend. He might state that as far back as the 21sfc May he had received a letter from the Minister of Justice requesting him to convene the present meeting, for the purpose of making arrangements’for the despatch of tho ordinary police business. Ho had, however, refrained from convening the meeting under the impression that the business might have been carried on without putting the justices to more inconvenience than was absolutely necessary. It was now found, however, that the business could bo gone on with no longer, and he feared that some arrangement must now bo 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, and 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, whoa so far their (the justices’) duties were concerned would cease—that is, so far as tho arrangements now being made. Mr. Mansford then expressed himself as being pleased at all times to see the justices on the 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 bo ample to got through the’business. Mr. Travers said that he was a justice of the peace, and had attended tho 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 old R.M. Court] 1 I have sat there a fow times, and therefore speak from experience. I hope some more suitable place will be obtained.

Mr. Mansford : After we have filled up the list I shall be most happy 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 bo 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 members of the House of Representatives would not be called upon to sit on the Bench dnring the session. Mr. Woodward ; If this arrangement were more than 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 bo 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 them of the day oa which their attendance was required. Mr. Mansford said that circulars would be sent round a day or two before. This concluded the business. The first sitting will take place on the 13th instant.