S.M. COURT.

Patea Mail, Volume XII, Issue 56, 7 June 1899, Page 3

S.M. COURT.

- (Before H. Eyre Kenny, Esq., S.M.) On the opening of tho Court Mr G. D. Hamerton, on behalf of the lull bar assembled, extended a welcome to His Honor, and in doing so referred to the opening of the District Court by him here onNovember 3rd, 1875, when the present Mr Justice Denniston, Messrs Betts, Fitzherbert, Hodge, Hutchison, Standish, the speaker, and others were practising on this portion of the coast, and called to His Worship’s recollection the difficulties then encountered in travelling between New Plymouth and Patea, as against the conveniences of the present day; as also to the then wild, unsettled country in the hands of an angry foe, in place of the present prosperous settlers and smiling homesteads. Mr Hamerton also remarked that His Worship would find that the people along this district wore not litigious, and that the grosser crimes were entirely absent. In conclusion, he could assure His Honour of the utmost support from the bar at all times. Mr Kenny thanked the members of the bar for their kindly greeting, and said he was exceedingly glad to return to this district, where ho found so many old friends, and from the kindness and courtesy already extended to him he felt sure he should soon make many new ones. It gave him special pleasure to note tho vast change mentioned by Mr Hamerton since ho first presided hero, and to see such a magnificent country in tho hands of industrious, prosperous and happy settlers; if was indeed a marvellous change in the comparatively short time that had elapsed since lie first presided thex’e. lie was much indebted to the members of tho bar for their kindly greeting, and felt sure they would always get on well together. [Report of proceedings will appear on S' Friday next.]