The Globe. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1546, 1 February 1879, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1879.

Like the large gooseberry of the newspapers, which recurs with unvarying regularity at the dead season, the subject of the new Magistrate’s Court has again cropped up. For some time past wo have occasionally and vaguely heard that something was to bo done. For a short time, one felt inclined to give credence to these reports, but the mouths rolled by and nothing was effected. Tho subject has, however, once more made its appearance, this time within the august precincts of the City Council Chamber. His Worship the Mayor “ believed ” that the Government were about to erect tho now Court near tho Supreme Court. It is a noticeable fact connected with this matter that no one has yet been found bold enough to assert positively that anything has actually been done in it. It lies far off in the cloud-land of vague conjecture; it is “understood,” or it is “ believed,” that the Government intend to do so-and-so. In the meanwhile the business of the department has grown to such an extent as to render it utterly impossible for tho staff to keep pace with their duties in the tumbledown barn which they now occupy. It is indeed a disgrace to tho city that we should have permitted tho administration of justice to have been carried on so long in a building so thoroughly unsuited to the purpose. The citizens of Christchurch have long earned for themselves the character of being exceedingly apathetic in all matters of public interest, and their bearing in this matter is a standing testimony to the truth of the assertion. There is not another city in Now Zealand where such a pre-Noachian edifice would bo allowed. Is it that wo cling with strange and misplaced affection to the relics of a by-gone ago ? Lot an effort bo made definitely and at once to ascertain what really are the intentions of tho Government. The money has been voted and, wo believe, the plans drawn out for tho now Court House, and yet not a move is made. The Government appear to know what good, easy-going folks the Christchurch people are, and so they quietly leave them alone. Wo hear a great deal about the Otago people getting what they want. Yery true; but then when they went anything done they never leave the Government at peace until the desired work is commenced. Lot sleepy Christchurch wake up to this fact, aud make an effort. Let it insist upon a building being erected which will afford adequate accommodation for one of the most important departments of tho Government. The postal, telegraphic, and Customs officials are snugly lodged, and tho public convenience consulted thereby. But hero is a department quite as important—and perhaps more so—left out in tho cold. Had not we waged fierce war tho present block of buildings in Cathedral square would never have been built for years to come. And so it will bo with tlie Resident Magistrate’s Court, unless wo make an effort towards bringing tho Government to see tho injury which is inflicted on an important branch of tho publicservice through the utter inadequacy of the offices at its disposal Let us. therefore, agitato tho question, and seek to ob- | tain from tho Government, thrmnrh our ; Mayor or the members for tho city, a , clear and definite understanding as to j their intentions in tho matter. If wo do

not do so, wo may rest assured that tho present reign of darkness, dirt and discomfort, which huhls sway in tho Resident Magistrate's Court and offices will ho allowed to continue for an indefinite period.

A correspondent in a recent issue of the “ Press” calls attention to what is likely to become a serious matter connected with tho administration of justice. Wo allude to the fact of Lyttelton being left without the services of a local Resident Magistrate. It. is true that tho Government consider that temporary provision has been made by the appointment of Mr. Mellish, but then that getitlemau cannot bo in two places at the same time. If he is away matters connected with the Court business at Christchurch get out of gear. Tho work of tho Resident Magistrate hero has increased to such an extent that tho whole time of tho officer must bo devoted to it, and even then he will find it hard to keep pace with it. But Mr. Mellish has country work, and now that tho supervision of Lyttelton is superadded, it has become absolutely impossible for him to discharge all the duties with which he is saddled in tho manner irt which ho would wish them to be discharged, Wllofi the Resident Magistrate is absent from Christchurch the result is that business is handed over in the most instances to tho great unpaid, a quorum of whom after some trouble is duly netted by tho Police in attendance. But when these worthies have been collected, there are cases constantly oceuring in which the Justices are unable to adjudicate. Consequently such cases have to ho remanded, and prosecutors, witnesses. &c., are compelled to come, perhaps from long distances, a second time. But if so much inconvenience is tho result of tho absence of the local Resident Magistrate from Christchurch, Lyttelton, when in the same plight, is still Worse off. As the writer of the letter truly points out, a shipping port, above all others, is tho place where a Resident Magistrate —that is, one locally stationed—is most necessary. Tins is self evident, and wo need not point out the many cases in which immediate summonses or warrants are required, which could not be made of use at all if reference had to bo made to Christchurch. Long ore the Accessary documents wore forthcoming, tho offenders would be out to sea, and although perhaps they might ultimately be secured through tho agency of the telegraph, it would be at groat additional expense to the public. In every way, therefore, it seems to us most necessary that a magistrate for Lyttelton should be chosen without delay. Unless this is done, considerable inconvenience will result to tho public, and it may bo that justice will one day find itself in danger of being defeated through want of more perfect machinery. The case made out by tho correspondent seems to be a sound one, and wo hope the Government will take an early opportunity of permanently filling tho appointment.