THE FULL COURT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1503, 27 July 1912, Page 3

THE FULL COURT.

WHICH IS MORE CONVENIENT? FOR LAW SITTINGS.

PALMERSTON OR WANGANUI? A question of much interest to the legal profession was argued before the Full Court yesterday afternoon. The Bench comprised the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), Mr. Justice Denniston, Mr. Justice Cooper, Mr. Justice Chapman, and Mr. Justice Sim. Briefly, tho question is whether Wanganui or Palmerston North is the most convenient place for hearing Supreme Court cases in which the parties are residents of the same town on the Main Trunk line. In a recent case of Scott y. Gallagher, in which the parties both reside at TJtiku, Mr. Justice Chapman held that •'Palmerston North was tho town most convenient of access from tho residence of the defendant as laid down in Rule 7. Tho determining factor in deciding Palmerston North as ngainst Wanganui was (in his Honour's opinion) tho convenience of the times of arrival at Palmerston North of tho Main Trunk through train . from Auckland to Wellington. With the current time-table a person leaving Utiku in tho morning.and catching tho train at the nearest station might arrive in Palmerston North in time to have his cass heard at 2 p.m., whereas ho could not reach Wangnnui before 3 p.m. A motion to review this judgment was filed, by Scott and in consequence the question has been opened up again before tho Full Court. Mr. L. Cohen, of Wanganui, appeared vestcrday for Scott and Mr. W. H. D. Bell appeared for Gallagher. In a second case in which the same point is involved, tho pryties are A. Korson and Co., land ageiits, and J. S. Walsh, farmer, of Ohnkune. Mv. C. C, Hutton, of Wanganui, appeared for Korson and Co., and Mr. A. R. Meek appeared for Walsh. Mr. Cohou and Mr. Hutton argued that Wnnganui was the moat convenient place of hearing. Commercially, politically, officially, and judicially, Wangnnui had a historical connection with the , district, and Hie more suitable way of dealing with the question would he by tho creation of !i judicial di c trict for Wnnganni to Iμ) bounded on this fide by tho Ranpitikoi 'Mr'Mfl9V end Mr. BMI ewH tlisk .Falnioroton North p« undoubtedly tl&

most convenient placo of hearing, Mr. Moek pointing out that tho railway was practically the only available route in winter and by far tho more convenient route in summer. The Chief Justice intimated that the Court would givo a written decision in tho courso of a few days.