A MAGISTRATE'S AGE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 785, 7 April 1910, Page 4

A MAGISTRATE'S AGE.

PROTEST BT A SOLICITOR.

(By Teleeraph.—Press AssooiatlonJ Eltham, April 6. Mr. A. Greenfield, long since retired and very old, is acting as relieving magistrate pending the return of Mr. Kenrick, S.M., who is absent on sick leave. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr. G. P. Wake (solicitor), addressing his Worship, said he quite realised that the presence on the Bench of a gentleman of hH Worship's age must entail a good deal ol 'sacrifice on his part. With all due respect he (Mr. Wake) wished to say he did not think a gentleman of Mr. Greenfield's ago should be asked to dischargo the important duties appertaining to the magisterial office. Ho felt himself in an awkward position, but was going to ask that all contested cases be allowed to stand over until Mr. Kendrick's return. He made these remarks only from the point of view of public interest. He asked his Worship to listen to his protest, and allow the cases to stand over until Mr. Kendrick's. return.

. All contested cases with the exception of one were adjourned, and the congestion 'in the Court business is now as bad as ever. One case has been hung up since December. Others have been partly heard by other magistrates, and no progress is being made. All Courts in this district are in- the same condition. • ■ Members of the local Bar contend there should be a permanent relieving magistrate for the North Island, instead of a retired magistrate being pressed into service in emergency, and are forwarding a requisition to the Minister to that effect, also asking for alteration in the magisterial district to enable one man to cope with the work, this district beinr larger than New Plymouth. . In regard to the complaints as to the' delay in overtaking the magisterial work in the central Taranaki district, the Hon. Dr. Findlay, Minister for Justice, told a Dominion reporter the other day that th* position was that Mr. Kenrick, who wita a very good magistrate, and quite able to do the work of the district, had been iU, and .had had to go on leave for a short period. He had appointed Mr. Eyre Kenny, a magistrate well qualified for the work, to iUI the position temporarily, but unfortunately ho too had also fallen' ill. To meet the emergency he -had asked Mr.' Greenfield to, take up the work in the meantime, winch he had done. Tie present' situation' was - entirely due to unforeseen and'accidental circumstances. Any inconvenience which had been occasioned would pass away immediately, as Mr. Kenrick would soon be able to resume his duties.