BLAME NOT WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1917, Page 3

BLAME NOT WESTLAND.

(Fo the Editor.) Sir, —May I enter a protest against the comment of his Honor Justice Sim at the sitting of the Supreme Court at Greymouth last week when addressing the jury in the Danphy case. Therein he gave a warning against tbo action of “ Westland ” juries. I would point out that the term usod does an injustice to the name and people of Westland. It is only pome few years since there have been sittings of the Supreme Court at Greymouth, whereas fur nearly fifty years the Westland Supreme Coutt sittings were held at Hokitika and many were tha notable trials that took place therein, the last canso celebre being the celebrated Connelly trial. During that lengthy period there were no decisions by grand or common juries that called forth such comment from the Judge presiding as has fallen from the Bench at the Gieyraouth Court on more than OD6 occasion already iu its brief life. Westland is proud of its record, and it ii to be regretted that his Honor in making his comment should have used in error the term “ Westlandwhen addressing a “ Greyrocntb ’’ jury. By doing sj ha cast a si nr against the district that is far from warranted, and ’ which may do the community much harm. I fesl sure tbat by attention being drawn to the matter, farther reference of a similar nutate may ba prevented, I am etc., Conscientious Juryman. Hokitika, March 26th.