MAGISTRATES JUSTICE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5306, 12 March 1884, Page 2

MAGISTRATES JUSTICE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— Of the many erratic judgments delivered by our Resident Magistrate, none has been more glaringly opposed to the weight of evidence than thafc in the case of [ Anderson v Stretch, which was reported in your impression of last evening. It appears 1 our R.M. considers that it is his duty to judge of the character of the witnesses according to his 0v.4, light, and to accept, or reject their evidence as true or false according to his own caprice. I thought it was the duty of a Magistrate, simply to weigh the evidence, and give his decision accordingly," having the power to order a prosecution for perjury if he believes any witness guilty of that crime. But what are the facts of the case under notice? Mr Ward considered that the' plaintiff would not tell a lie about the matter, and gave judgment in his favor. If this means anything, it is that Mr Ward considered that. the defendant and his witness were telling lies, and should, be punished for so. doing by- having to, pay the claim, rightly or wronely. At this rate, a claimant has only to establish himself in the favour of the R.M. as a truthful witness, and though the heayens should fall, he will get judgment. Why, this beats Jeffery's hollow, and Lynch is completely out of the running.— l am, &c, Observer.