Cromwell Court Affairs. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 25

Cromwell Court Affairs. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — Having to attend the magistrate's < Couit in Cromwell a few weeks ago, and being i an old colonist, and having had a deal to da ! with courts of justice in bygone days, I was painfully impressed with the meagre appearance of the whole surroundings. One mining \ case occupied the court from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. . ! The clerk of the court was the " crier." The conctable had been on duty at the Nevis, and 1 came back about 5 in the evening, his weary, | woebegone look being painful to ' see'; yet, > in place of taking a rest, he had to attend I court, and was not off his feet until ,11 p.m. Only thab he is » strong man ; be would have had to cave in leng ago, for he is doing the work of three constables. A few j years ago we had two constables and a bailiff to the conrt, but now, when there is ten times more work, there is only one constable. Economy ! How clearly the language of Sir R. Stout came to my mind : " The public servants don't know that they have a soul of their own." If the constable in Cromwell does not know that he has got a soul his weary limbs will force on bis sleepleis eyes the knowledge that he has got a body. Mr M'Cartby, the S.M. and warden, is a man of superior ability, and the very man who is able and willing to do justice to all — apd ha doss it without fear or favour ; but there is not one man amongst us who will acknowledge that he is getting justice done to himself. He is as much overworked ia his own line as the constable is in his. .The Magistrate's Court ii the life and prosperity of a nation, and by a wise and far-seeing nation magistrates are most liberally treated ; bub in New Zealand a magistrate is the first of the public service who is strangled to the hideous blasphemy " economy.* —I am, &0., Donald Nicholson. Rocky Point, January 12.

Oar Roxburgh correspondent wires that the temperature on Monday was 124 in the yon, and that a chaDge in the weather is expected. Nelson Bros, received the following cable from London on Friday t — " The frozen meat market is still very depressed, end a farther heavy fall in prices is reported. Best Canterbury mutton, 3fd ; best Dunedin, 2sd; Napier and North Island, 2|d." Messrs Nelson Bros, have evidently abandoned all Idea of again starting freezing operations at Olarksville. The Bruce Herald learns that the plant, which has been on the ground op till now, has been removed, and will be oonv6y«d to Hornflby, near Ohrittchutob, wheiti fti is intended to ifart fre«Bina wot**