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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3002, 8 February 1881, Page 2

Thehb was a near approach to a scene in the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning between His Worship tbe R.M. and Mr Cornford. The matter under consideration was whether His Worship had any right to sit and hear appeals against the Taradale District Board of Conservators assessment. Mr Cornford contended tbat His Worship could not sit; that consequently, tbe assessment could not be certified as correct by the Court, and that no rates could be recovered for the current year. The reason for this was to be found in the faot that there waa no sitting of the Court and due adjournment on the Ist February, which was the particular day under the Act for hearing appeals. His Worship said the objection was legal, but he took all the blame for tbe Don-adjournment of the Court upon himself, and if the objection was passed be should regard it as a piece of personal discourtesy to himself. Mr

Cornford promptly replied that His Worship could not assume that discourtesy was intended, and as his objection Tas considered good in law he did not recognize any other rule by which his conduct !r. the matter was to be judged. Kxentually tbe Board and the appellants cams to an .-igreement as ti the amount of tbe assessment, and all disastrous conscqueuces which might otherwise have resulted from the magistrate's omission to properly hold and adjourn his Court were averted. But it seems to us that Mr Kenny was in error iv making a person? 1 matter of the objection that was taken. Few magistrates in Nipier have been more renowned for their predilection for technical ohj-ctions, and if once in a way the magistrate's own fingers should be nipped by such legal snares, we do not thing he should pose as an injured individual.