THE MAGISTERIAL BENCH. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11113, 14 May 1898, Page 3

THE MAGISTERIAL BENCH. TO THE EDITOR.

Sic,—There is something so extraordinary in the conduct of the present Government tbafc it is impossible to understand their actions. Your correspondent " Radical" has drawn attention to the condition of t.he magisterial bench in the Otago district. Now in connection with the duties of judges of tho Assessment, Court, what do we find ? Our worthy and deeply respectad magistrate Mr Carew, although "up to hie eyes " in the work of the Magistrate's Court, Warden's Court, Licensing Bench, coronership, and lower criminal court, is saddled with the' work of assessment, not only of his own district but that of the comparatively remote magisterial -district of Mr Hawkins. Were the Government afraid Mr Hawkins would lower the valuations in and around Ppmahaka ? Do they wish to compel Mr Hawkins to resign by grossly insulting him? Do they wißh to compel Bffr Carew to resign by working him to death? (Ercuse the.lrishism;)

j Outside of the scandalous disregard of justice J in the division of the assessment districts, there ! is one other matter I should like to point oui. i Would not the whole community of Duuedin hail with satisfaction the appointment of a police magistrate for our district ? The justice meted out by some of our J.P.« in the Police Court, Dunadin, should bring blushes of shame |to th^e cheeks of honourable citizens. Equality, I the necessary attribute to true justice, is absoj lutely wanting. In my humble opinion, the I parsimony of the present Government in this j matter is sacrificing; the honour and justice of ! the bench.—l am, &c,