How Justice is Dispensed in Melbourne.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 228, 30 March 1896, Page 2

How Justice is Dispensed in Melbourne.

J.P.s FOUND GUILTY of BRIBERS AND CORRUPTION. (Per Press Association.) Melbouene, March 29. The Lormer Enquiry Board hasdrawt up a report. They find that Rappipori was guilty of corruption in receiving bribes, gifts, and privileges, from persons likely to be tried by him. Rappiporl and Baxter are also fotmd guilty oi combining meanrfto defeat the administration of justice by acting together in the interests of persons they were likelj to try. Bird was found guilty in several cases of acting in the interests of one ol the litigating parties, and adjudicating in Courts where he did not sit in the interests of women of ill-fame witb whom he had immoral relations. The Board also found that Baxter on several occasions visited brothels. With reference to the charge against Lormer, the Board fonnd he sat in cases where he had strong bias or prejudice ; that he acted improperly in so doing, but was unconscious of impropriety in so doing. The recommendation is mad* that appointments of Justices of the Peace should be made by a special Board ci a Judge of the Supreme Court, independent of political influence ; that in Melbourne and other populous districts only Stipendiary Magistrates should adjudicate. The Cabinet will consider the report and decide what action be taken in the proven charges.