“AN ICE CHAMBER."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17348, 13 May 1924, Page 12

“AN ICE CHAMBER."

THE SUPREME COURT. MEDIAEVAL STRUCTURE. The Supreme Court is one of the most comfortless places in Christchurch In its exterior aspect it may be one of the distinctive architectural features of the city, and probabK there are very few who would wish to see swept, away a structure that is s«> characteristic of the earlier buildings of which Christchurch is justly proud But pride in architectural beauties makes, poor vanning on a. frosty morning. and the Supreme Court chamber in Christchurch on a cold morning is a veritable ice chamber. Originally, the chamber possessed huge open fireplaces in keeping with the general architectural design, but in recent; years these have been displaced by smaller fireplaces, a proceeding dictated doubtless by the size of the departmental eoai bills in ol<ter days. 1 hey were cheerful places, those big Supreme Court chimney corners, where one could roast thoroughly while those at a little distance froze. For some reason the big court room even in those days of big fires never warmed, and litigation in Christchurch in winter time was a chilly business. The smaller fires have not, of course, achieved what their larger predecessors failed to do. The methods of ventilation are not on modern lines, and eounsetywho have had to give long addresses in the crowded courtroom, especially during the heat of summer, have found that their throats have raised protests. The incidental offices are in keeping with.the main chamber. Even the provision made for the Judce is on a very poor scale, and there is no library for the use of the Judge. It- is necessary for tbe Judge when considering cases td traverse the icy passages that lead to the library of the Law Society, and there to spend freezing minutes seeking the references he requires Tt against this state of affairs that strong objection is taken in Christchurch. It is considered that it is derogatory to the high office of a Judge that he should be called upon to put up with the petty annoyances that such a state of affairs necessarily imposes, quite apart from its gross inconvenience.

The provision made for prisoners awaiting their turn in the dock is mediaeval, and the accommodation for jurymen js little better. Until quite recent times jurymen were required to sit for long hours on benches that seemed to have been specially designed to deprive them of every particle of personal comforjfc. Now. however, the benches have been converted * into separate seats which have, been upholstered. thus permitting jurors to listen to cases in comparative comfort. The lighting of the courtroom is bad, and on dull days it is difficult to see cleariv without the aid of artificial light. The accommodation for counsel is not adequate for large cases on which many lawyers are engaged. though there is adequate floor space for the provision of further desks.

It is considered that before the legal position in Christchurch can be placed on a satisfactory footing it will be necessary to remodel the present courtroom on lines consistent with modern hygiene and comfort and to provide a second in which civil cases can be heard. The present court room is altogether too large, except at the opening of criminal sessions, where there are large numbers of jurymen to be dealt with. It is considered. indeed, that the present court-room might be retained for this and other occasions on which there are likely to be large numbers of people present in the court, and that a smaller and more convenient' room should be provided for the hearing of civil actions which do ffot dSll for the presence of large numbers of people.