JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 13

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Sir, —I 'have just returned from a trip to New South Wales, and while there accidentally learnt that before any gentleman is made a Justice of tho Peace a report as to his character has t-o be furnished' by tho police. This is a capital plan, and it would also bo advisable, in this Dominion, if' a polico report was furnished annually of each Justice of tlifi Peace; it need only be a few lines.' Should tho lion. Minister for Just-ice call for such reports, somo of them would astound him. I was once walking down the street of a country township with a Stipendiary Magistrate, and we met two men very drunk. In fact, the S.M. remarked it. I' said, "Sir, 1 would have introduced them to you had they been sober. They aro two of tho Justices who run your Court whon you aro away at other'"townships." Although tho S.M. said nothing, ho evidently did something;', as very, shortly afterwards ono of the Justices resigned, but the other is still a J.P., and although seldom drunk, is just a bar loafer. A short polico report would rectify all this.—l ain, etc. SIC PASSIM.