STRATFORD NEWS

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10625, 28 May 1896, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS

0 [FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT.J.May 26.— The Minister of Justice, Mir .Thompson, was in Stratford andl ■was duly deputationised. About a score* of townspeople, headed by the Cbairmam* of the Town Board, ran the honorable^ gentleman to' earth at the County Hoi«3^ and brought forcibly to his notice tre> various wants of the district that affected his Department. The need of an additional constable formed the text of Mr Jamei' remarks, and elicited a favorable" response from the Minister. Mr Fookes, as the senior member of the local Bar, .then dwelt on the growing necessity fora* resident Stipendiary, pointing out that I'tigants and witnesses from a distance-! had frequently to suffer thß expanse audi annoyance of adjournments, owing to the I'S.M.'s presenca being required 'in NewPlymouth in connection with his varied duties. Mr Thompson thought the d'fri-" culty had been got over by the recent introduction of weekly 'sittings of the Justices. Mr Fooke3 said the difficutly had been only partially surmounted, and 'Went on to urge the appointment ot'-n Deputy Official Assignee and occasional 'sittings of ,the District Cqurt. 'M£ Malone followed audfdwelfc on the need 'felt throughout Taranaki of additional judicial conveniences. "Where the additional judge should be stationed, was a question that could stand over, Imt Stratford's.claims would be found unassailable. Mr Ellis and Mr Biernacki said a few words and the Minister replied to -the effect that he would have a return pre^ pared of the number of cases the Strati ford district supplied to the district Court at Hawera and New .Plymouth,, also the amount' of bankruptcy . business. Whatever was done would be done quickly, a* his term of office as Minister of Justice might possibly be a short one. . The deputation thanked the Minister and . withdrew.