THE WANGANUI LAWYERS AND THFIR CHARGES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2703, 11 February 1876, Page 2

THE WANGANUI LAWYERS AND THFIR CHARGES.

[From the Post.]

From time to time reports of grave scandals in connection with the legal profession, have reached us from Wanganui. As a rule, with a- few honorable exceptions, the Wanganui legal practitioner is of a special and peculiar genius. The place is notorious for its excess of litigation, and hence unsuccessful and broken-down members of the profession- in other parts of the Colony have eagerly flown to it. Their number has at times become so great that it was impossible they could all find business to do. Hence' the profession gradually deteriorated, and its members took up things not quite consistent with its dignity. Some made it the chief end of their lives to stiv up animosities amongst neighbours, and thus make legal business ; others did a little bill-discounting and farming ; while, in one special case, " a man of parchments " went extensively into the boiling-down, and preparation of meat extract business. On one point, however, every member of the profession in Wanganui has been unanimous. They all make the highest possible charges, and a Wanganui solicitor's bill of costs is a most appalling document. The ©vil has been borne for a time by long-suffering clients, but of late the extreme limit of human endurance has been reached, and the victims have begun to rebel. Appeals ate continually made to tl\e Registrar o£ the Supreme Court to have costs taxed, the result being, in many cases, that the most exorbitant charges are fovind to hare been made. The most flagrant instance oi! this kind which has occurred is recently reported by tlxe Wanganui Chronicle. A bill of costs amounting to over £600 was cut down by the taxing officer, to a sum little over £200 ! There is every reason to believe that this monstrous instance of over-charging is not a solitary one, but that many almost -icJmd-have, througu tne%norance or apathy of clients, escaped notice. The Chronicle in one issue strongly condemns the evil, but apparently^ the legal screw was put upon it forthwith, because with that pussillanimity which is its chief characteristic, it came out the following day as the champion- of the lawyers. According to this suddenly converted journal, the Wanganui lawyers are the most ill-used ot, men, and, their bills of costs are of the most moderate kind. It is the Registrar of the Supreme Court at Wellington, who is altogether to blame — at least so says the t Chronicle. That officer it alleges, "exercises an arbitrary and uncontrolled authority" in cutting down, the bills of costs ot.the Wauganui lawyers, and therefore, it contends with curious logic, he alone is to blame. The Chronicle evidently wants to attack the Registrar, but with the fear of an action for libel beioro its eyes, has not the courage to do so in an honest, straightforward way. As a specimen of trying to assail a man by innuendo, wequotethe following: — r , The explanation" (of cutting; down the overcharges) is to be found in the n'tuess or unfitness for; the office of the gentlemen who holds the position of Registrar iv the Supreme Court. It is needless to cbserTe that a double evil flows from the possession of an unqualified person of arbitrary authority. In the first place, very great injustice is done to the profession, whose reputation is subject to the caprice of 'an official ; and, in the second place, injustice is done to the public, who are of necessity made ,to bear some portion of the hardship inflicted upon the profession. JSfow, this is about the worst instance of sneaking dishonesty in journalism which we have come across for a long time. If the Chronicle wishes to charge the Registrar of the Supreme Court with ignorance and incapacity in the discharge of the duties of his office, why does it not do so in plain terms, instead of hinting and insinuating in this cowardly manner. In this matter, we believe that the Registrar has simply done his duty, and that ' there is' no' ground whatever for the accusation made against him. Sufficient evidence has at various times come befor^the public to prove that exorbitant legal charges are by no means uncommon, m Wanganui, and if the I Registrar of the Supreme Court has prevented such being enforced, he deserves tho warmest thanks of the community. The matter must not end here. When eharges-df' ! so gfavo a character as those made, against l the Registrar of tho Supreme Court by the Wanganui Chronicle,, are,pufc forward, ifc is only common justice to the officer assailed that there should be an enquiry into their truth, or falsehood. In any case, the question is one of much public interest,' and an enquiry will do good. If it is proved that a solicitor has charged £600 for work which would be fairly paid at £200, then the matter is one well worthy the attention of the Judges of the Supreme Court and tho Minister of Justice.

Feb 2, 1875