THE VACANT JUDGESHIP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2036, 14 January 1889, Page 3

THE VACANT JUDGESHIP

Under the heading "A judlolal soindal" the Wellington '< Evening Poat " writes : —What • nice atate of things it Is to bar* a Judge sitting on the Benoh of the Supreme Court In' Obrlstohnroh trying prisoners for all aorta of grave offenoea, while simultaneously the Cabinet Is sitting m Wellington m judgment on the Judge Umiel/. The speotaole li certainly not likely to Increase reipeot for the law, or Inspire ooofiderioe In its administration. Jndge Ward may be actually ■antenclng ■ nan to penal servltnde for ltfe at the veiy moment when the Cabinet Is paaslng lenience of deprivation and expulsion «gaitut himself, and deolarlng him unfit to 1 occupy the Benoh. The position Is absolutely scandalous, and If Jodge Ward is declared not to be fit to sit on the Benoh we think all the prisoners tried before him, this session at least, will have a serious . and valid grievance, and should be allowed the option of re>trlal before a Judge who, In tho opinion of Minister!, is qualified for the position. Nothing cm excuse the conduct of Ministers la permitting tbe patent Criminal Sessions In Ohriatohuroh to have been opened under the presidency of Jndge Ward, ifit.be true tbat they fare decided not to appoint him to the permanent Judgeahlp. It is quite possible indeed that one of the eonnsel praotlsiog before him may actually have the appoint' mentai his snceestorln his own pocket, The conduct of the Government la emln» •ntly calculated to bring the Supreme Ooort Into pnbllo contempt, and It li an unnecessary and cruel insult to Jndga Ward to have required him to undertake the gaol delivery nnder present dream* •tenoM.