EX-MAGISTRATE PETITIONS PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2594, 16 June 1923, Page 3

EX-MAGISTRATE PETITIONS PARLIAMENT.

FOR RE -INST A TEMENT,

A petition from Mr P. L. Holliugs, of Lyall Bay, Wellington, presented to Parliament on Thursday by Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., prays that, the House of Representatives will direct that ho be re-instated in bis office as stipendiary magistrate and warden of Marlborough. The petition sets forth that in April, 1919, the- petitioner was appointed to the post in question, relinciuishing in order to take it up. “a lucrative and promising career at the bar at Masterton, which had taken him 21 years to build.” Tn April, 1922, a disappointed litigant complained to the Minister for Justice who sent for the petitioner and after explanation, directed him hack to his duties nt Blenheim, and requested him to apply for three months’ leave of absence. He did not want the leave, hut applied for it at the request of the Minister, and it was granted on full pay. He was, however, asked to take relieving duty first at Wanganui and remained there till July 31st, then taking the leave, which expired on November Ist.

Being urged by the Minister that be desired to absorb bis district at Blenheim with (lie Nelson district on the grounds of economy, petitioner told the "Minister that be would make an effort during bis leave to recover the practice he had sacrificed. He made a determined effort to re-establish it. intending, if successful, to resign voluntarily from the service in order to assist the depa r linen f’s Hidieme of economy: blit be was unable to continue, in practice in the Wairarapa, owing to a covenant with his former partner .excluding him from Masterton, where the Supreme Court sittings for the district arc held. Tie, therefore. refused to resign, hut on reporting himself for duty at Blenheim on the expiry of his leave, lie was summarily dsmissed by the department. His salary bad been paid up to January 31st, but be bad no pension and no means, and bad a young, growing family dependent upon him. lie had been, he claimed, a loyal and faithful servant of the Government during his term of office, and had done nothing to deserve the hardship and disgrace of dismissal.