SUPREME COURT JUDGES:

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18763, 17 January 1923, Page 5

SUPREME COURT JUDGES:

INCREASE IN NUMBER, URGED. WESTLAND’S CLAIMS. (Peb United Peess Association.) HOKITIKA. January 16. Referring to the Press Association metsage of December 21 from Auckland, the president of the Law Society at Hokitikaj in an interview, said that he entirely agreed with Mr Justice Stringer and the president

of the Auckland Law Society. It was high timo that the number of Supreme Court judges should lie increased. Westland especially was suffering from the long space of time which elapsed between September and March, as at present no judge visited that , wide and impprtant district during that long period of six months. It was of vital importance also to the mining districts that any judge to be appointed should have Some experience in the higher courts in mining law and practice, which would prove of value both on the goldfields districts of the dominion and at the Court of

Appeal. The message referred to stated: —The Supremo Court vacation extends from December 20 to January 31, both days inclusive, but Mr Justice Stringer even, to-day was holding a sitting of his court. Appreciation of this by members of the legal profession was mentioned by Mr John Alexander, president of the Auckland Law Society. He said the action of his Honor in sitting during the vacation was all the more appreciated because the profession knew how overworked the members of the bench are at the present time. The profession considered it unfair and improper that judges should have to sit day after day as they do now without proper opportunities to consider matter and write their judgments while the facts of cases are freshly before their minds. This was not fair to the judges. It was not fair to the Bar, and it did not make for quick or proper administration of justice. It was strongly felt that in the best interests of the dominion the number of judges should lie increased. His Honor replied that he was very anxious to keen the work of the court mldor control. He would certainly be glad i o see overwork removed, in fair, ness to all parlies concerned.