D.—]N To. 7a

Recording is three months in arrear. Much labour might be saved to this office by providing printed and ruled books for record keeping, which could be supplied from the Printing Office. The Clerk to the District Court at AVellington wo suggest should be transferred to this office. Although that officer is also Inspector in Bankruptcy and Curator of Intestate Estates, as well as Deputy-Sheriff, he is not fully employed. In each of those offices the duty is at present almost, nominal. This transfer to the Registrar's office, and the adoption of record and other books, primed and ruled as suggested, would allow of a reduction in that office. AYe do not think any arrears need accumulate. DISTRICT COURTS. Otago. District Judge, £800, and travelling allowance, £200 per annum. Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Wanganui. District Judge. £900 (and travelling allowance). Clerk, (AVellington) £250. Clerk, (Hawke v s Bay.) Clerk, (Marlborough) £50. Clerk, (Wanganui) £50. We have only had the opportunity of obtaining information as to the Court at AVellington. The District Judge goes circuit from AVellington to Wanganui, Marlborough, and Napier. Four Courts a year are held at Picton and Blenheim, four at AVanganui, four at Napier, and once a month at Wellington. This Court has civil jurisdiction only at AVellington, but at the other places has criminal jurisdiction also. The eases heard at Wellington during this year (to the 16th August) numbered 45, and occupied 11 days. The Court takes debt cases up to the amount of £100. The laws constituting these Courts is now being altered. The clerk at Wellington, £250, issues all processes ; keeps account of moneys received and paid ; records proceedings ; and attends Court. Pays fees into Colonial Treasury (amount for June last, £10.) Twelve pages of letter book copied since Ist January last. Under the head of Supreme Court, we recommended that the Clerk to the District Court at AVellington should be transferred to the office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court. All the fees are fixed by law, and are revenue. The clerks are under bond for fidelity. The Bailiff' to this Court is also Bailiff to the Resident Magistrate's Court, in which latter capacityhe is paid £150. RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURTS AND COURTS OF PETTY SESSIONS. The following—taken together with the lists of Civil Commissioners and Native Resident Magistrates (see pages 16 and 17) —is a list of the Resident Magistrates, with their respective Staffs, at present employed throughout the Colony:— Alono-onui Papakura — * Resident Magistrate, £175. Resident Magistrate, £250. Clerk £150. Clerk, at Drury and Papakura, £/5. Interpreter, £100. _ , . 1 Coromandei — IRussell Resident Magistrate, £400. Resident Magistrate, £250. Clerk, £1^Provincial Interpreter, (lus. per diem when Wan< farei — actually employed.) Resident Magistrate, £150. Clerk, £50. New PlymouthResident Magistrate, £350. Auckland— Clerk, £150. Resident Magistrate, £650. Bailiff and Clerk Assistant, £182 10s. Chief Clerk, £250. Office cleaner, £27 7s. 6d. Second Ditto, £200. Third Ditto, £150. Wanganui— • ™™ Bailiff £150 Resident Magistrate, £300. Assistant Ditto, £120. Clerk and Interpreter, £200. Bailiff, £80. Onehunga and Howick — Resident Magistrate, £200. Wellington— _ Clerk, Onehunga and Otahuhu, £120. Resident Magistrate, £000. Clerk, at Howick, £75. Clerk and Interpreter, £200. Clerk, £100. Waiuku— Clerk, £100. Resident Magistrate, £50. Bailiff, £150. Clerk, £75. Office cleaner, £14.

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REPORT OF TIIE CIVIL