DISTRICT COURTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2149, 29 June 1875, Page 2

DISTRICT COURTS.

[to the editor.] Sir, — As 1 understand some influence is being used (by whom I know not) to abolish the Ahaura District Court, I must ask space to shew the injustice the Grey Valley would suffer were such done, and the want of all argument in favor of the removal. Considerable efforts were' made by I Judge Harvey, Mr Whitefoord, Resident Magistrate, and others to establish it, and it has. been extensively used in civil, criminal, appellate, ecclesiastical, and bankruptcy jurisdiction. The Valley, as every one knows, must progress, and if the Court has been useful in the past, how much more so must it be in the future, with large companies forming and in operation, and works auch as the Nelson Creek water-race near completion. ( His Honor Judge Weston has as yet made only one complete circuit; and'on . his first • visit the Ahaura Court had four civil cases tried besides bankruptcy business. Even in Greymouth there is not always business for the Court, but I do not remember that ever to have happened here, and within the last fortnight two or three important matters have been taken to Qreymouth, which should have been decided in this Court. The expense of holding the Court is merely nominal, and the Judge must of necessity pass through on his way to Reef ton. The great argument in favpi* of its removal is, I understand, that there is only one resident solicitor at present, and that solicitors resident elsewhere are put to the inconvenience of travelling to attend the Court. Now, I think that as a matter of public policy, it is more desirable that a solicitor should travel twenty-five or thirty miles to|attend a Court, than that suitors, witnesses, and others should travel, as in many instances they would have to do, some forty or fifty miles for that purpose. 1 have always understood it to be recognised that justice should be given to Buitors and others on the most reasonable terms. The Ahaura .District Court has more than held its own with other Courts, and through your columns I must protest against its abolition. ; lam, &q.\ Wm. F. Sxaitb. Ahaura, June 26.