LITIGANTS AND LITIGATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18821, 11 July 1923, Page 3

LITIGANTS AND LITIGATION

POSITION IN WANGANUI. ACCUMULATION OB' BUSINESS. MAGISTRATE’S BUSY TIME. The fact that the local Magistrate, Mr. Barton, has, in addition to the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court, to also preside over the courts al Hawera, Waverley and Batea, results in an accumulation o£ work on occi.fcions, and a good deal in the way of inconvenience for both counsel and clients.. The loquacity of some of the local counsel may be an important factor in creating the existing difficulty, but possibly some cases, being more involved thau others, necessarily take a longer time to be disposed of. The list of civil cases at the Court, yesterday appeared just the ordinary lot for a Tuesday, but 4 p.m., when “new business” was c—ed there was still more to come. Counsel in the next case in the order of reference announced that seven witnesses would be called. Waiting counsel received the intimation with blank dismay. "My case could be disposed of In ten minutes, sir,” said one solicitor, sweetly. Well, what about Mr. having fifteen minutes on his estimate o' ten,” suggested his Worship. The counsel In possession gently, but firmly resisted the suggestion, and it was evident that they doubted the legal estimate of time submitted. “Well, we will have to go on,” said Ills Worship, who remarked reflectively that ho had six reserved decisions to give and another big day ahead. Another solicitor with a happy inspiration applied for a week’s adjournment of the case he happened to be engaged in, and got it without difficulty. A lady witness who was waiting for a case to come expressed concern at having to come again “There would be no chance of reaching it before 8 p.m,,’’ replied his Worship, “and I do not want te start another case them.” I suppose there is no chance of >ny case being reached,” said the legal gentleman who had pleaded in vain for the ten minutes’ interlude. The Magistrate smiied sympathetically, ana asked how much was ir dispute. “£2,” said the inquirer in a disconsolate tone. So with intent to go on until it was finished, the seven witness case, w hicli concerned a motor lorry, set out on its journey. "Would your Worship like .o see the lorry ? It is down the side street now, said counsel for the plaintiff. I think we had better hear tile evidence,” replied his Worship. And in the dusk counsel in the other cases that were not reached and the witnesses departed. The position certainly hud a humorous side, but as far as the public is concerned, there is a serious side as well.

Inquiries made in legal circles elicited the information that the difficulty was the present grouping of the magisterial districts. The resident magistrate at New Plymouth has to hold sittings at quite a number oi Taranaki centres, while the magistrate with headquarters at Feilding had to preside at various centres astai north as Raetihi. In the case ot Mr. Barton, his work was extremely hard by reason of a towu of the size of Hawera being added to Wanganui. It was stated that the Wanganui Law Society had gone into the matter, but it was difficult to find a solution, although it was felt that the time was not far distant when the full time of the Magistrate would be needed in Wanganui.