The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1883. The Resident Magistracy.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 993, 12 July 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1883. The Resident Magistracy.

The Government is really treating us very badly in the matter of a Resident Magistrate. It must be at least eighteen months since Ashburton ceased to enjoy the facilities for the administration of justice which are accorded to the inhabitants of every other district in New Zealand as populous and important as itself. Some three or four months ago, in deference to the remonstrances of the Borough and County Council of Ashburton, supported by a memorial from the leading inhabitants of the district, Mr Price, of Poverty Bay, was formally gazetted to the Resident Magistracy of Ashburton, and it was officially announced that he would take up his residence amongst us and enter upon bis duties forthwith. We cannot say that we felt in raptures over the appointment, Mr Price does not occupy that status on the Bench which we think desirable in a gentleman appointed to the onerous position of Resident Magistrate of this important County; he is, we believe, a man of advanced years, and the fact that he has been so ill ever since his appointment that he has been unable to begin his duties here, is some corroboration of the rumor that he is of infirm health. Nevertheless, under the circumstances, we should have been glad to see him and give him a fair trial, but we must protest against the continuance of the existing state of things, in which renewed sick leave is granted to Mr Price from time to time, while the Timaru Magistrate comes and goes as best suits his own convenience. It is really a great hardship to suitors, and certainly not conducive to the proper administration of justice, that cases should be partly heard and adjourned from week to week, the judgment being then perhaps reserved, until finally a decision is given at a period so distant from the commencement of the proceedings, that half the points involved in the case run the risk of being forgotten. Other reasons, moreover, exist which render a change in the Resident Magistracy desirable ; but the Government, in appointing Mr Price, admitted the necessity of complying with the public wish for a Resident Magistrate, who should make Ashburton his head quarters, and since that gentleman’s illness seems, unfortunately, likely to be a prolonged one, they should appoint, in his place, some experienced officer to preside over the Ashburton Court. If the Ashburton Magistrate was required, as he used to be, to attend the South Rakaia, Geraldine, and Temuka Courts there would be plenty of work to tax the j I

energies of a first-class officer, while the Timaru Magistrate would have more time to attend to the business of the Waimate Court, which the people of the district complain has been neglected of late. We trust that Mr Wright will use his powerful influence in this matter.