THE Kawhia Settler FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1906, WANTED: A COURT HOUSE,

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 260, 25 May 1906, Page 2

THE Kawhia Settler FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1906, WANTED: A COURT HOUSE,

A few years ago Kawhia residents had to travel forty six miles to Te Awamutu to get their little disputes settled by law, and sometimes to Raglan, the result being that few eases were heard. Latterly, however, there has been a quarterly sitting cf the Stipendiary Magistrate’s Court, with an occasional Justices’ Court between times, and at these quite a large number of cases have been adjudicated on. The B.M. Court is now an established function and court day a looked for event. Like all other things in this world the accessories for the conduct of the hearing of cases are becoming ob solete. Scott’s Hall is no doubt better than the old Native Hill was for the holding of either land or police court*, but even it leaves much to be desired Its acoustic properties are utterly unsuitable, and in such a place this ■hould ba the very first c insidorati m. If the presiding magistrate hears then the legal repie-.entativa cannot, and if by chance they do the defendant or plaintiff as the case may ba cannot hear the evidence for or against his respective case. To make tha condi tioos as good as possible the court B eats are arranged as much at one end of the building as can be managed, and a great space has to be traversed by the audience or attendara of the court, and the various sound* caused by heavy and croaking boots are most painf il aid disturbing to all CD* cerned. If Mr Norther >ft wore not a most patient r-nd attentive listener it idifficult to imagine how milters would sometimes go. Kawhia is now in w position to ask for better acoimmodu tion and sbou'd certainly get i*. A court bouse is a necessity i»j a growing place, and even now the requirements of the Kiwhia district entitle it lo one —the an ount of court business i; in creasing to su :b an extent as to war rant the Government erecting oi e Tbe police reserve here is a most suit able site and wo btjipv? that tbe money

w raid come from tbe Justice Depart ment, which means that we are not endeavouring to divert a sura of money from any other necessary work when we ask foe the erection of a Court House in Kawhia. We know that the Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr Northcroft) will endorse our pleading for this as he better than anyone knows the great need of it.