5

A.—6

That all Banco business be heard' before two Judges. That the salaries of Resident Magistrates should be raised, and trained men appointed to the office. That the jurisdiction might be slightly increased, and this not in the amount of claim only, but in the kinds of action that a Magistrate can try, as, for instance, actions for land where the value did not exceed £100 , and actions for damages in cases of defamation, and of breach of contract to marry, where the amount claimed was within Magistrate's jurisdiction. That if possible all sittings in Banco be arranged so as to be taken before two Judges of the Supreme Court. That the circuit sittings of the Supreme Court, the sittings of the Court of Appeal, and the Divorce and Matrimonial Court, be altered so as to arrange for a long vacation during the whole of the months of December and January That the sittings of the Court of Appeal should be held consecutively in the various centres of population — i.e., Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. That the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court should be limited to the trial of the higher classes of felonies, such as treason, murder, &c, cases in which Maoris are concerned, civil cases in which the parties agree to take the opinion of the Court on questions of law, and divorce and matrimonial cases. That Resident Magistrates' Courts should be abolished, and their powers transferred "to District Courts. That the jurisdiction of the District Courts should be extended in civil cases to £250, and that the powers exercised by Resident Magistrates' Courts and the powers proposed not to be exercised by the Supreme Court should be vested in the District Courts, which would give District Courts power to try the inferior classes of felonies, misdemeanours, &c, bankruptcy, and to grant probate and letters of administration. The Courts to sit weekly Judges to be barristers of not less than ten years' standing. That the jurisdiction of Police Courts should be extended in felonies and misdemeanours. That Magistrates should be appointed who should be barristers of not less than ten years' standing. That the jurisdiction of the District Court might be extended so as to relieve the Supreme Court to a greater extent. That the separate jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrates be abolished. That cases of debts under £5 should be heard in the Police Court before honorary Magistrates. That there is no occasion for two inferior Courts with similar and concurrent: jurisdiction. That the Resident Magistrates should have jurisdiction up to £50, £5 without appeal, and in ejectment with simplified rules, also jurisdiction in slander and libel. That the District Courts should have jurisdiction only beyond miles from the Supreme Court office, and jurisdiction in slander, &c. That their jurisdiction should not be ousted in cases relating to land unless a question of title be really involved. That there should be Courts of Petty Sessions, with a good clerk, in country districts. Supreme Court Judges to try cases from £50 to £200 summarily without '. appeal, unless by leave of the Judge. Supreme Court Judges to sit once or twice a month in principal towns, and once in three months in summary jurisdiction. A jury to be summoned in such cases only by order of a Judge. District Courts to be abolished. Resident Magistrates to take criminal business as now, and civil cases up to £50. No fees to solicitors should be allowed in small-debt cases. More care should be taken in the appointment of Justices of the Peace, whose jurisdiction should be as at present in criminal cases, and up to £10 in civil cases.

Canterbury District Law Society.

Mr. A._ T. Devore.

Mr. Fo-wood.

Mr. Brandon.

The Hon. Mr. Wilson.