WEST COAST JURIES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1917, Page 3

WEST COAST JURIES

PROTEST BY 'BOROUGH ! " COUNCIL. V { , AT ASPERSIONS BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. At the meeting of the Hokitika j , Borough Council last evening the out- j ward correspondence approved included ' the following telegram to:—To Sir Win j Hall Jones, Wellington:— People of this town and district view j with resentment and a sense of in-; justice statements made by Hon. Me-; Gregor in Legislative Council in refer-j once to jury system in Westland, which j has always worked here so as to leave ! no room for reflection on the integrity! of the people, who much appreciate your timely remarks and recognition of tho injustice done. What happens in the northern town should not be laid at ' the door of tho whole

Coast. Glad if this protest could bo a made public. Strong feeling here. (Sgd). H. M. Coulson Deputy Mayor, j Tho following reply was read: — “From my knowledge of the good t people of Westland, am confident any enquiry will prove there is no reflect- • ion upon their honour and integrity, j Handing your telegram to “Times.” j (Sgd) Win. Hall Jones, Wellington.” | j Mr. Coulson in moving the telegram j be received, said the whole community j was indebted to Sir Wm. Hall Jonas j for his timely protest-. < Later in the meeting, .Mr. Coulson L by leave, moved : I < “That this Council protest to the j Rt. Hon. the Premeir at the general charges levelled in tho Legislative Council against the conduct oF the jury system on the West Coast, and points out that so far as the Westland j portion of tho West Coast has been j concerned, the charges and reflections . are without lea use or justification; and further that as the action of the Government in the. past in creating several centres on the West Coast for sittings of the Supreme'Court has not met with tho apparent approval and success desirable, the Government be urged to revert to the former practice of making Hokitika, the assize town for the West Coast. *' Speaking to the motion, Mr. Coulson said there was little need to explain the position, the motion did that sufficiently. Thew had all read tho reflection cast on tho West C-oast. In this . connection he wished to correct a ■ statement appearing iu tho local press. It was not Mr. W. C. McGregor K.C. of Dunedin, who is the member of the Legislative Council, referred to, but Hoq T. McGregor also came from Dune din. It was tho former who had attended a Greymoutli Court sitting. Mr. R. King spoko to tho motion, but not seconding it was ruled out of order. 5 Air. J. King seconded the motion, i saying he thought it was high time ; they looked after themselves. He t would like to see tho old regime r brought back and the whole sittings held here as formerly. . i The motion was then agreed to.

A further motion

PEALING WITH LEGISLATIVE j COUNCIL. Mr. Coulson then moved:— | I -That the attention of the lit. Hon. ■ the Premier he again drawn to tho fact that Westland is without representation in either House of Parliament and that lie he urged to appoint a representative to the Legislative. Council. • Mr. Coulson said he thought it advisable to again draw attention to the lack of representation in Parliament of the district. Their member was engaged' on what may possibly bo a more important mission and tho incident in Council just referred to emphasised the necessity of Westland being represented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stapleton and carried