CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 954, 19 November 1879, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do rot bold ourselves responsible for opinion expressed by correspondents.]

[To tlve Editor of the Herald.] Sir, — The manner m which some officials behave m our R.M. Court here, will, after circumstances which took place during the sitting of the Court this morning, amply prove that there is some want of control required over them, and that those parties who are obliged to attend that Court as witnesses, or as plaintiffs or defendants, Bhould be protected against insolence from the constable m Court. There were a large number of cases to be heard this day, and which of course means the attendance of a large number of persons connected with those cases. The Court was crowded, and barely standing room could be obtained. The space allotted for passage m and out of the enclosed portion of the Court, reserved for Magisterial business, is only about two feet wide, and is unprotected from that part allotted to the general public, and to those who have business with cases, and many witnesses, and others connected with actions m Court this day, were obliged to fill up this space. The constable m Court came up, and m a very insolent manner, told us to clear out of the way, but not content with that he got very excited, and began pushing us out, and one gentleman was actually threatened by him, and although a witness m a case, was told that he nwst noio leave the Court, aiid not come bach On being remonstrated with, he threw the whole of the responsibility of his actions on the orders of the Bench. Our object now m writing this is, to procure for those who have to attend the Court on business, that they should be protected from the gross insults of a constable, and that they should have protection from the Court. Those engaged m cases cannot leave there, as they are liable to be called upon at any moment, and therefore no such course, as was pursued this day by Constable Miller should be allowed ; m fact we consider that his overbearing manner and insolence should be properly brought before the notice of his superiors. — We are, Sir, yours, &c, L. Mclntosh. Philip Bond. Duncan Frasbr. Charles Scott. Ewbn Cameron. Gisborne, 18th November, 1879.