JUDGE MEYMOTT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 949, 25 June 1880, Page 3

JUDGE MEYMOTT.

The following specific charges against Judge Meymott, were made recently in the N. IS. W. Legislature, by Mr Dillon : Mr Dillon moved the adjournment of the House for the purpose of proceeding further with the action he had taken respecting the couduet of District Court Judge Meymott. He said he had been taunted for not throwing off his Parliamentary privilege and making these outside. He did not see, acting as he was, in the interests of the public of New South Wales, that he was called upon to do anything of this sort, and he was almost sure that if he were to make these charges outside an action would be brought against him more for the purpose of burking legitimate inquiry than for any other purpose. It was necessary that he should make some specific charges, and one ot them was that J udgo Meymott had received presents from persons who had cases before him, and that the verdicts in these cases were of such a character as to leave no doubt upon the mind of any reasonable person that the decisions had been influenced by these presents. Amongst otheis who had given these presents was Mr Rogers, residing near Tamworth. This man had presented him with some very valuable horses, and the result was that all the cases brought before the Judge in which Mr Rogers was interested resulted in his lavour ; and the decisions were of so extraordinaiy a character that, if one knew nothing of the presents, one would be inclined to wonder why these decisions were given. On one occasion, when Mr Rogers had a case before Mr Bennett, who acted in Judge Meymott’s place, a verdict was given against him ; but at the next sittings of the court a now trial of the case was heard before Judge Meymott, who upset the previous dec ision, and gave a verdict in Mr Rogers’

favour. There was another instance, in which a man named Campbell, of Inverell, who had established an acquaintance with Judge Meymott, had five oases decided in his favour, and the decisions were so startling as to leave no doubt that the Judge had been influenced in ids decision. Again, Judge Meymott’s conduct at Gunnedah was so outrageous as to justify his immediate dismissal 'from tha public service. In another case, in which the jury wore equally divided, Ju’ge Meymott said he was the seventh for a conviction, and thereupon ordered the prisoner to be brought up for trial at the ensuing sittings of the court, over which of course he would preside. Tiiis judge had also been known to go into the jury at Narrabri, some twelve months ago, and advise the jury in their deliberations. He was thoroughly convinced that if evidence were taken with’ regard to the beha.iour of this judge, it would be ascertained beyond all doubt tbit his behaviour had been of the most outrageous description possible. The general reputation borne by Judge Meymott should also bo made the subject of inquiry, as it was well known that many hotel-keepers of the northern districts would not accommodate him, simply because be gave them no end of trouble, and seldom paid his bills. Before bringing these serious allegations against this public oliicial, be was quite satisfied himself that they would all be more or less proved by inquiry.

No further discussion took place on the subject, as a Com mission had been appointed to make a searching investigation into the charges. -‘An Inveiell meeting called to consider the matter last week adopted tire following resolutions “ Ist. That this meeting expresses its entire dissatisfaction with the administration of justice by Mr District Court Judge Meymott. 2nd. That a petition, praying for, his removal by Government and setting forth the grievances of suitors, be adopted for signature by the inhabitants of this district, 3rd. That steps be taken to ’request other towns in northern districts to publicly express an opinion on the matter.” The meeting was both respectable and enthusiastic.