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Dunstan Times, Issue 571, 28 March 1873, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE —o — We do not identify ourselves with the opinions that may be expressed by out ' correspondents.] —o— THE EDITOR OP THE DUNSTAN TIMES) Sir, —I see by the Dunedin Daily Times that the public mind ’is occupied with the question, whether it is not desirable that the powers of Mayors of Municipalities, “ and in virtue of that office Justices of the Peace,” should not be considerably curtailed, on the ground that there is no surety, that these gentlemen, although possessing the public confidence to a certain degree, are really capable to decide questions of law ’involving the property and often ■even the personal liberty for a length of time of her Majesty’s subjects, for, although these gentlemen may be endowed with qualities eminently fitting them to adorn society in any other respects, they may yet be wanting in even the rudiments of legal knowledge, enabling them to preside in a Court of justice. I beg to draw your attention "to a case of assault heard in the .Resident Magistrate’s Court at Alexandra, on the 24th inst., in which both the Clerk of the Court and the defendant in the case had the greatest difficulty to make the two presiding (J.P.’s, respectively Mayors of Clyde and Alexandra) comprehend that the previous life, whether peaceable or otherwise of both defendant and complainant, and in acase of assault is important to the issue. I must say that I,- the defendant in the ■ease in question, am surprised about the presumption of one of the presiding gentlemen, as, but a short time ago, I instructed 'him how to conduct himself in taking an •affidavit, and in enly three or four mouths after, he pretends to know better than his ■tutor In conclusion, in the interests of the public, I beg to suggest that the Resident Magistrate whenever he should temporarily leave the district, should take the key of the Court with him so as to prevent mis'chief. 1 am, Ac., W. BOHNIRC. Alcxandr March 23 th 1873.