3

A.—6

such, (cl.) That there be also extended jurisdiction in. the following cases : (1) In partnership disputes where the amount involved does not exceed £200, (2) In cases where title to land is in question, and the land does not exceed £200 in value. 7. That no cases be tried in limited jurisdiction save for the claims now triable under the present Resident Magistrates Act, and none in extended jurisdiction, save for those triable in District Courts and those above specified. 8. That the judicial officers presiding over local Courts of extended jurisdiction be appointed during good behaviour, with salaries fixed by Act. 9. That in all cases over £50 in the local Courts a short statement of defence should be lodged in the Court before hearing 10. That, iu all cases in the extended jurisdiction in the local Courts, at the request of either of the parties, a jury of four shall be summoned, as in the District Court at present. 11. That the judgment of local Courts on questions of title shall not bind the parties or their privies in any other proceedings. 12. That in the Bill constituting the local Courts the equity and goodconscience clause be not inserted. 13. That the local Courts in the extended jurisdiction have summary power for the recovery of possession of tenements up to £100 rental. 14. That in all cases there be no formal pleadings, save particulars of claim and statement of defence. 15. That, in all cases where the amount in dispute is under £500, the action be tried without a jury, unless one of the parties request it or the Judge order it; then only by a jury of four 16. That there be no appearance, and that in any suit the trial be held at the first sitting of the Court, say days after service of writ, unless otherwise ordered by the Judge. 17 That solicitors be allowed to make agreements as to costs, the agreements not to be taxable, but to be liable to be set aside or modified in a summary way by a Judge in Chambers, if shown to have been induced by fraud or misrepresentation. 18. That a scale of costs be prepared to cover the costs between party and party in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, fixing as far as possible a lump sum for every action and proceeding, varying according to the nature of the proceeding and the amount claimed or recovered on somewhat the same principle as is now followed in the District Court. 19. That costs between party and party be borne as fixed by the English Judicature Act and rules. 20. That a Sub-Committee be appointed to frame new rules of practice and procedure for the Supreme Court, and having as a basis the resolutions of the Commission, and as far as practicable the rules of the English County Courts. 21. That plaintiffs proceeding in the Supreme Court in cases where the local Courts have jurisdiction do not recover greater costs than they would have recovered in the local Courts if the judgment be less than £50, unless the Judge otherwise order. 22. That no local Courts with extended jurisdiction shall be created in any town where a Judge of the Supreme Court is resident. 23. That, in any Act to be drawn in pursuance of the report, the rules of Court form a part of the Act by way of schedule. 24. That it is desirable that provision be made for preliminaiy settlement of issues in actions to be tried by a jury 25 That the Court or Judge have full power to amend proceedings before and at the trial, on such terms as may be deemed just. 26. That a Sub-Committee of Mr Justice Williams, Mr Stout, and Mr Holmes be appointed to draft rules of procedure in Appeal, Supreme, and local Courts, and that, if possible, they be embodied in one code. 27 That a Sub-Committee be appointed, to consist of the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Richmond, Mr. Conolly, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Wilson, to suggest simplifications in the procedure for separation and divorce.