A HALL OF JUSTICE.

NZ Truth, Issue 216, 14 August 1909, Page 7

A HALL OF JUSTICE.

Travesty at Taumaranui.

The "Halls of Justice" m some of our back-block townships are very impressive and awe-inspiring piles. A barn, or any old mouldy, worm-eaten, . ague-stricken shanty is often considered dignified enough to house the might and majesty of the Law and the all-powerful administrators thereof. But the.casa of Tau--maranui will taße a heap of beating everi with the many rivals m the field. A Mar gistratc visits .the Maori stronghold at fairJy frequent intervals to clear off accumulated business, and the Uourt sits under reall}' Gilijertian conditions. The court-house is a crazy, weatherbeaten, ramshackle shanty of a "hall" that was apparently clung together m days when the Moa was m its infancy. It is unlined, and the ceiling is perforated with cracks and interstices through which the cold stars shine at night, and m rough weather THE WIND HOWLS AND SCREAMS tin uncanny frenzy, like the wailing of j tortured souls that sizzle on the hobbs of Hell. And the rain, when it comes, dances a devil's tattoo on the old iron roof, whilst those m the "Uourt" shout and' bellow themselves hoarse, like sailors m a hurricane at sea. On sunny days blithe little birds perch perkily on the rotting rafters, paying playful attention to any defenceless bald head that shines 'below: Balanced upon what is by courtesy called a platform, is a tottering, worn-out centenarian ol a table, with a decrepM, doddering old chair that hasn't a sound leg to stand on. Upon •this, uneasily, sits the magistrate,' performing his duty m momentary . peril of his life. As he takes notes, the poor old table creaks and groans m agony ; $ is very palsied and rheumaticy, and sorgly m need of surcease from its sorrows. Down below, partly buried m the dust and cobwebs of long ago, leans another lean, broken-down N wreck of a table, flanked by long, hard, harsh forms without backs. These comforts are the especial privilege ' of lawyers and pressmen— when there happen to be any. At. the back are more long, forbidding forms, upon which the onlookers, mostly obese, unwashed • Maori, squat m greasy, odorous heaps. The atmosphere, naturally, is sweet as the breath of myrrh, and the ''bank where the wild tyme grows." And a delicious spice to the flavor is added iwhen the two smoky, outrof-date oil lamps are lit. They frequently have to be lit too, as the Court usually sits until a late hour; There is NO CHAIR FOR THE CLERK. He has to squat down where he can, or do his work ' standing. Pen and ink are sometimes available— when he is lucky enough to borrow them from 1 a friendly neighbor. But the climax to this comedy came at a recent sitting. The Court sat all day and then adjourned for a sup and a bite. Returning to resume at 7.30, they were paralysed.' The hall was m the hands of a hostile force. It had been taken and was being stoutly held by the advance guard of a strolling troupe of mummers .! The barn-stormers intended to produce, "The Wickedest Wowser m Wellington," or something similar, and they were determined that the Court should enter only over their dead hodies. They v had engaged the hall m advance, and they meant to have it. The Magistrate met the situation like a gentleman, and gracefully retired with his retinue. Then commenced a hurried search for fresh quarters. Eventually, another small shanty was secured, and m this the Court sat until midnight was hovering near. Amongst counsel was Mr J. R. Lundon, Auckland, and he decided to enter some effective protest against this fcurlesque.

Drawing up a petition urging the need for radical improvements, he secured the signatures of a number of Taumaranui residents and counsel present. The petition was subsequently forwarded to the Minister for Justice.