PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY TO MR. JUSTICE GRESSON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 159, 20 May 1862, Page 4

PRESENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY TO MR. JUSTICE GRESSON.

"lfltli&lay, 18G2.< " May it Plisa&e Your Honor — " The Grand Jury reciprocate your Honor's sentiments regarding the rapid aud substantial nrogrqss in the material prosperity of the Province ; a progress so rapid, that those institutions which amply su,pplied the public necessities iv former years are ,novr totally-inadequate. • / " While regretting the heavy stnte of the present calendar, the Grand Jury believe that the amount'<Sf cviuie is not more thau must necessarily lie expected from the nature of the population, suddenly called together _by the gold discoveries. They would lake this oppoitunitj of calling attention to the urgent necessity for the immediate appointment of a Resident JuJgeof the Supreme Court in this now populous l'rovince. The state of crime, and the civil cases consequent on the amount of business now transacted in this commnnity, filiko demand it. "The Grand Jury would also point out the benefit which would be conferred by the early appointment of Resident Magistrates in those districts where the rapid increase of population warrants such a &tcp, and the necessity of Lock-ups being erected in such localities. " The'present efficient state of the police foree calls for the highest commendation which can bo bestowed upon it; and the Grand Jury cuuiot' allow this opportunity to pass without recording their admiration of the bravery displayed by Sergeaul-Major Br.icken, in the capture of a paity of desperate characters on the gold Jields. " They notice with pleasure the liberal sums voted at the late meeting of Council for the erection of' an hospital, gaol, benevolent aud luuatia apylums, ami trust Ihut no time may bo lust in proceeding with tho.se buiklitiga. " The Grand Jury trust that the many improvements modern science has introduced iulo.the construction and arrangement of such buildings will bo carried out, and that .the kites will be carefully se'ected, not only with a view to their convenience of access, but especially with regard to the nature of the. ground, allowing of its adaptability to the purpose for which it is wanted. They believe, also, that too mnuh. prominence cannot bo given to the proper classification of prisoners, aud the scpaialiou of young and, comparatively speaking, unhaidcncd criminals from tiie contaminating influence of older offenders. " In conclusion, the Grand Jury would be happy to think that this Province could aspire to the proud position referred to in your Honor's address, and supply model institutions for Now Zealand. (Signed) "A. W. Mukhis,-Foreman." His Honor replied as follows :—Gentlemen of the Grand Jury ; 1 ieel happy in liein? nbl<? to 'say that your piesentmenb entirely accords with my own opinions, and I will take care to have it foruur.ln 1 both to ihe General Government and tho Provincial *jthoritie3. With regard to that portion of your prebentineiit which concerns the s,ekction and appointmo.it of a Bcsidcnt Judge, that doos not rest with me, butitis in your paver to instruct 'your members iv the Ilou&e of Representatives to take action in thii matter. T may wiy, that I think the btato of this Province entitles it quite as fully to a Resident Judge as any other of the Provinces. The staty of business here compels me to postpone the next Bcsbiou at Canterbury, au event ve:y uiidesirable, Imt under present circumstances, quite' unavoidal)!e ; for h is expedient that punctuality should be ob&uivcd as much as possible in all public and important-duties. I have no doubt but that a Resident Judge will be appointed in this Province. A sum of moucy .has, I under.-,t.ii.dj been placed on the Estimates for wich ti purpood, Init i an>* bot awire what action has beon taken yet. I have mado-inqniiies more of a private natuie than of a public character, but i havi- not yet received any answer - I am gla! to notice Mint you a^ce with me as to the necessity of yoiirinslitutions being erected upon aln-gcund liberal scale. The present want of prop' r classification is a ciyinp evil of no inconsiderable magnitude, as ucinir wileulalc.il to promote s>o mr.ny serious results, and it is a painful tliinjr f«; a Judge to feel, when in the i'.iiihful discharge of a highli'gal and lnoralresponsibilily, lie pronounces sentence upon some v<<uiik offender," that there is conipaiativcly an unllardehed criminal boinfj eonsiffi»ed to the a-iso-ciation of m'eu matured in vice, whoso bad example in prison raw, perhaps, produce fucli an effi-ct upon his disposition' and c'uaiaelertliat the young offender may emeritc from the cnol a mucli worst man than when he was const-act to if. lam glad to see that yon take such a view of tho case, and I have no doubt that you will use all Ihe influence you can with your representatives; as well a3 with the Provincial authorities, as will conduce -.to a- better system of criminal classification, and tiic creation of a more judicious arrangement with regard ton lunatic asylum ; it is, I may wiy, a kindred ins.titutinii, and I nee.i scarcely comment on that tulijcct, for I am well aware of the present and growing feeling of the public mind concerning it. I may remark, how-' ever, that nothing could be more prejudicial and positively unjust than the existing arrangement, and I believe it is intended to select. the - site for a Lunatic Asylum at some (iislauee from the new paol. I have heaH it said—but th<r report was only n rumour, and I scarcely know whether I am. correct iv thus publicly noticing it ; but, I have heard it rumoured that the hospital should be "contiguous to the gaol. My opinion is, that such an institution as ' a public hospital should be situated at some distance from the common gaol, in order that there may be no danger of the patients suffering lroni the noise of tbe prisoners, or that the prisoners might not, suffer from contagion of disease. I tiiauk you for the address, which will be forwarded to-the (ienoril Government and the proper provincial authorities in due course.' I quite coincide in ail the observations which it' contiiiiis. Gentlemen of the Grand Jury," you are ;nqw discharged from any further attendance; and in thanking yoa for the services ■rendered. I can. only express my regret that you have had such arduousVtad laborious duties. ' •'■ - -X' The Grand Jury here lctiped througlrthc jury room to the left hand of the banco. ' > a