JERSEY JUDICIAL CHANGES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 726, 17 March 1876, Page 3

JERSEY JUDICIAL CHANGES.

A Jersey Correspondent writes : “The history of the Jersey Bench of Judges has of late been more especially noteworthy than has ever been known during a similar short period, and, indeed, considering thejjjjlnature of the events in connection therewith, may s ifely challenge comparison with any period of its long and not uninteresting existence. The last two and a half years have been prolific iu changes, ihe list of which is expected shortly to be increased by the resignation through ill-health of one Judge, and the enforced retirement by reason of insolvency of another. The first of the notable events during the short period mentioned was that of Mr Joshua Le Bailey (elected a Judge in ISSG), who, in May, 1873, was placed as a criminal at tic bar of the Court iu which he had so olten administered justice. Ho was chairman and managing director of the Mercantile Union Bank, which suspended payment in February of that year, and was charged with issuing false and fraudulent reports as to the position of the bank, and with embezzling trust moneys under his care. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years’ penal servitude Mr Eliza Neel, (elected in 186 1 ) was chairman and managing director of tho Joint Stock Bank, which suspended payment in July, 1873, its collapse being hastened by that of the Mercantile Union In November of that vear Mr Neel, who sat on the Bench daring the trial of his former colleague, Mile Bailey, himself stood in the dock on similar charges of issuing false reports and inducing persons to take shares iu the bank at the time it was in an insolvent state. The jury were divided. Mr William Ganelin, solicitor, was elected in October, 1873, to replace Mr Neel. Domestic troubles and the fear of being involved in a lawsuit with a client for whom he had acted during a lengthened period in the case of “ La Cloche v La Cloche” had tho effect of sending him into a low state of mind, and in August of tho following year lie committed suicide. Leaving home in the morning early, by arrangement on the pre vious night, he went out ostensibly for the purpose of shooting rabbits, and was found dead during the forenoon. He had gone into a field at Mont-au-Fretre, and sitting down against a hedge from which ho could obtain a full view of tho house in which ho was born, he blew out bis brains. Mr Philip Duraareiq, elected ISGO, after attending to his judicial duties for nearly two years, ceased to attend either tho Court or the States of which ho was an ex qfflo : o member. For about a similar length of time he continued to absent himself, and at tho meetings of tho latter body excuse was invariably made for him, on oath, that ho was “so ill that he could not attend without endangering his health” His friends pressed him to resign, but bo stubbornly refused, saying “ Non, je suis Juge, efc Jugeje mourai.” At length, bv repeated entreaties, be was induced to resign iu February last. This list (of notable events Ins just had its termination in +hc case nf Mr I '. D. Qaattevillc. This gentleman was the senior Judge on tho Bench (with tho exception of Lieutenant, Bailiff Bissnu), having been elected in January, 1851. He was Chairman of the Commercial Banking Company, and carried on an extensive business as a shipowner, with fishing establish ments in Newfoundland. An action has been for some time ponding between him and his co-partners in the bank, who claim al-out T/23,000 for balance nf account and interest. On Saturday week several judgments were given against him in tho Roval Court, and on Saturday last h 1 gave notice of his intention fo appear before Mr Gibant, tho Judge Commissioner of the insolvency Court, with a view of making a composition with his creditors. Tim result, of this will he to render his seaton tho Bench vacant.