Address to H. W. Northcroft.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 261, 9 March 1897, Page 3

Address to H. W. Northcroft.

The following address has been presented to H. W. Northcroft, S.M., at Auckland, who has been transferred to Wanganui:—" Sir, —We, the undersigned, feel it to be necessary in view of the proposal to remove you from your place in Auckland to an inferior position on the West Coast, to express our regret and disappointment that such a slight should have been offered to you. You alone of all the magistrates to be affected by the proposed changes are to be made to endure what is in effect punishment while to the others promotion is to be awarded. We know well that this exeeptional treatment is not owing to any demerit on your part. You came to Auckland three years ago, and you established your home amongst us (on the understanding that your appointment would be permanent) with an unblemished record of good and life-long service faithfully rendered to the State, and during the short term of your residence here you have enjoyed the full confidence and gained the almost affectionate respect of all classes of the community, and we feel very keenly the wrongfulness of the treatment it is now proposed to mete out to you. This proposed action has, however, a much wider than a merely personal bearing ; it affects most seriously the common weal; raising, as it does, questions as to the independence of the bench and the administration of justice. When this, the most important bearing of the matter, if fully apprehended and comes to be considered, we are confident the people of this colony will render you the full meed of honor you have so well deserved at their hands. Meanwhile we have to ask you to accept this expression of our high appreciation of your sterling worth."