The Evening Herald. FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 1873.

Wanganui Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1901, 19 September 1873, Page 2

The Evening Herald. FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 1873.

I?1 -will be remembered that the District Courts Bill was thrown out by the Legislative Council, though it had passed the Lower House by a ki ge majority, and was recognised as a measure which would be attended with decided advantages. To the Bill as it was first introduced wo offered many objections. We could not discover the necessity or the expediency of possessing three distinct kinds of Law Courts in the Colony, especially when in Victoria and England the movement was in the opposite direction • where the tendency is to reduce the number ami simplify the machinery of the Law Courts. We urged that with certain changes which would be beneficial in themselves, the Supreme Court and Resident Magistrate's Court were equal to the legal strain and requirement of justice, and we opposed the distribution of the District Courts throughout the -Colony. In the House of Representatives the Bill was opposed principally on the ground that it would place in the hands of the Government the uncontrolled power of making a number of appointments, would be attended with great expense, and would leave the Supreme Court hardly any duties to perform. As the Bill was first introduced it had no chance of passing, but Mr Bathgate took advice, and brought down some clauses which made a radical change, and at once gave the measure an air of popularity. The effect of these clauses was simply that the Government might appoint the Judges of the Supreme Court to perform the functions ot the District Court. As the principal weight of litigation had been through into the latter, the consequences of the Bill passing into law would have been that people might have obtained justice without those cumbrous forms which are attended with a proportionate expense, and become almost ruinous j or, on the other hand, deter all but the wealthiest classes from seeking j ustice. The Resident Magistrate's Court \infortunately does not inspire-that contideuce which it would do if qualified men were appointed to the office of Magistrate. It is held that this Court is one' of equity and good conscience ; but what do we find 1 A helpless attempt on the part of laymen to administer law, attended with failure in a very large proportion of cases, and the maximum crop of appeals. The change which is taking place in Victoria is the one which most commends itself. The pracof the Supreme Court is simplified in its forms, and assimilated to that of the County Courts. The latter are to be abolished as unnecessary when the efficiency of the high Court is increased, and its expensive character changed. The Police Courts are to be improved in iheir status by the appointment of none but barristers or solicitors ; and thus while the higher questions of law are decided with as little fuss as in a County Court, the simpler questions are to be dealt with as carefully in the Magistrate's Court as if they involved issues for a higher tribunal. But although Mr Bathgate's measure did not profess to go this direction, it neveiI theless would have been productive of similar consequences. The Judges of the Supreme Court would have admin I istered cheap law with superior knovr- | ledge and experience, and if the character of Resident Magistrates might not have been improved, their power would have been curtailed. We should not have not have noticed the question at the present time but that the crisis f impending between the houses of Assembly may lead to its reintrocluctioii | into tiie Council at no distant period. If the Government are resolute, and mean .to parry the Provincial Loans Bill, it is also open to press the other measure at the same time. The District Courts Bill was defeated on " The Previous Question," and can be introduced again in the present session, but the Loans Bill is in a different position, being ordered to be read that day six months. If it should be determined to prorogue parliament, and call it together in a week, both measures could be submitted, as the meaning of the . term " that the bill be read that day six months," is that it be not read again in rhe same session. But everything hinges on the decision of the Government on the Provincial Loans Bill. That will probably be known by the time of going to press this evening.

The son of Baron Rothschild, the head of the Austrian branch, has not only married a Christian, but has abjured his faith, for hers. He will succeed his father and is, indeed, the only son and heir. His wife is a daughter of the Austrian Archduke Regnier. Mr Charles Reade is gathering material for a new novel, to be founded on the grievances which Mr Plimsoll so- zealously champions. The novel will be based on facts gleaned by the author from personal interviews he had with English mariners.

The Press in referring to the sale of stock from the Canterbury provinces says: —'' Wo have also to record the sale of

another of our draught sires, the pure bred Clydesdale horse Baronet having been purchased by JMrJuhn Walker of Wanganui. Last year, when Mr Walker bought the-well-known horse Lofty, perhaps the best horse of his breed that ever stood in the province, his place was filled by Baronet. Baronet is now four years old ; he was imported from Scotland to Melbourne by Mr McCullock, in the same ship with Rantin liobia (just sold for £1200), and there purchased and brought here by Mr John McKeller. His pedigre is most undeniable, being by Lofty, who gained the Highland's Society's first prize in ISG3 ; dam Darling, who gained the first prize at Glasgow as a three-year old. lie is first brother to the first prize taker at the Highland Society's show in Perth 1871. At our show last year he was only beaten by the famous imported horse Prince Charlie. Mr Walker is to be congratulated on having secured this animal, which he takes to Wanganui in the Taranaki to-day. Mr Walker also takes with him the imported Shetland pony entire General Nuti, formerly the property of Mr Fisher, imported by \V. Boag', and aa this gentleman already possesses a breed of very diminutive ponies we may hope to get a more plentiful supply of a class of horse much enquired for, viz, — small ponies adapted for children. Quicksilver, the well-known trotting sire has, we are glad to hear, arrived safely at Mr Walker's stables, Wanganui.

Mr John Walker notifies that liq -will exhibit at the Rutland Stables on the Ist October the entire horses Ravenswortk, Quicksilver, I om Thumb, General Niut, Lofty, and Baronet, and invites the owners of other entire horses to show them at the

same time and place

Working members of the Philharmonic Society are reminded that practice will be resumed this (Friday) evening-.

The share list of the National Insurance Company closes on Monday next. Mr Morrison, the Agent inWauganui has been very successful in his canvass at Itangitikei.

Mr Mcßarnet, the travelling Agent of the Australian Mutual Provident .Society, has met with good success at Marton. Mill. M. Bi-ewor has been appointed the local agent. Mr Rush Dougherty writes us to complain of the treatment his boys received at Waitotai-a. The matter has already received notice in our columns. The donation of £20 promised by Messrs Peat and Alexander towards the library about to be established by the Ancient Independent Order of Oddfellows, has been paid to the secretary, Mr John jWitinan, this day (Friday.) We have received from Messrs Taylor and Watt. Agents for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, a Directors Report submitted to 'a special meeting of members on August 26i.h. It contains proposed alterations in the bye laws : a case for opinion of three actuaries, and their joint and individual opinions on the same ; and a report by the Society's Actuary on the business regulations of the Society. The book is valuable as shewing the financial soundnesss of the operations, and cannot fail to be eminently satisfactory to the shareholders. The natives report that very heavy snow storms have fallen on the Taupo plains, blocking ?up the track. Messrs W. McDonald and A T. Walker are detained. We direct special attention to the advertisement calling a meeting of the Martonliangitikei Club at the Ban Nevis Hotel Turakina on Monday the 20th inst. "\v\inganui members are particularly invited to attend. We .understand-several questions will.be discussed having an important bearing on the forthcoming meetings. Cr Ohevannes forwarded to the Mayor to day his resignation as Councillor for Queen's Ward. A case of bolting occurred at mid-day. Mr J. Hurley's baker's cart was standing at Mr Townshend's, when the horse taking fright started off down the Avenue, keeping a good course till rounding Waller's corner on to the Quay the cart came in contact with the heavy post fixed there. The result of the collision was that the cart received a knock-down blow, and declined to proceed any further on the perilous journey. The horse galloped on with a portion of the woodwork of the cart attached to the harness, and after doing the block, was finally stopped and captured. Upon enquiry, we find that the horse was frightened by a do°- the property of Mrs Stewart, rushing at the 1 bot^e, and seizing it by the tail. The boy who was driving, was thrown off, the wheel passing over his thigh, and injuring him severely.

There is a fine smack of novelty about this from a Ballarat paper :—"Trebilock —Richardson —On the 16th July, Mr Picton arranged a life partnership -between Mr Richard Trebilock, o Dean, and Oceaua, second daughter of Mr Samuel Richardson, of Devil's Creek, at the residence of the latter. Who is the latter ?" Is it the bridegroom, the bride, or the bride's father, or the personage who, by the name, appears to own the creek ?

Efforts are now .being made to reestablish a Lodge of British Templars in Wanganui. Dx Samuels holds an appointment from the Grand Lodge in Canada similar in rauk to that possessed by Mr Madeline, who delivered a lecture here on behalf of the Good Templars, a similar order having its head quarters in thu United States. Both orders have the same objects in view, the rules and regulations of bothbeing almost identically the same. We understand that a quantity of very handsome regalia, with the necessary" books &c, belonging to the defunct Lodge of British Templars is now in the possession of Dr Samuels, and can be used by the proposed new lodge.