JUDICIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 3759, 11 March 1875, Page 2

JUDICIAL.

At the first sitting of the Supreme Court in banco, after the vacation, to-day, Mr Justice Chapman intimated that ho was about to retire from the Bench on the 31st instant. He had some time since intimated his desire to the Government, but with the understanding that he would consult their convenience as to time. On the 22nd of last month he sent in his resignation officially, to take effect from the 31st March, and he had last night received an answer, the first and material portion of which he read, which was as follows“ Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, March 6,1875. Sir, —I have the honor to inform you that your Honor’s letter of the 22nd February, intimating your desire to resign your office as a puisne judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand as from the 81st of March inst., has been laid before his Excellency the Governor, and that his Excellency* will be prepared to accept your resignation at the date indicated by yourself.” His Honor will sit in banco tomorrow, and on Tuesday will preside at the criminal circuit of the Supreme Court at Lawrence, and this will bo practically the whole of the business he will undertake before his retirement, as the occurrence of a week’s holiday in the interval will prevent him entertaining or considering any applications involving argument. We understand, on the best authority, that the arragements consequent on his Honor’s retirement are these Mr Justice Williams, who is appointed to the Otago district, will make his first appearance on the judicial bench at Hokitika. Chief Justice Prendergast will preside at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court at Dunedin on the 12th proximo, and dispose of the unfinished banco business. The reason of the Chief Justice coming south is that having, in his position of Attorney-General advised in several cases that are to comebeforethe Supreme Court at Wellington next session, he could not try them. On the Chief Justice returning to Wellington, Mr Justice Williams will take chirge of the Otago district.