The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 1877.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 60, 16 May 1877, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 1877.

The appointment of another Justice of the Peace to the Palmerston district is a matter which we think requires immediate attention at the hands of the Government. With the the two gentlemen who already occupy the honorable position of justices m this community we have not the slightest fault to find. On the contrary we believe them to be painstaking m the discharge of their duties, and whilst courteous to both plaintiff and defendant they seek but to deal out even handed justice to all. But it is well known that these gentlemen reside some distance from the township, and as our Resident Magistrate's numerous duties prevent him from visiting us oftener than ouce a fortnight, many are the inconveniences, annoyances and losses which our townsfolk and settlers experience, owing to the delays and difficulties which frequently surround the transaction of even trivial matters of business, the legalizing of which requires the presence of a Justice of the Peace or Magistrate. But whilst it is desirable and even necessary for the satisfactory conduct of business that this district should possess the services of another Justice, we must confess that it is not always easy to find a suitable person willing to accept the office. We are aware that the Government have an objection to appoint business men — those whose interests are connected with the patronage of the public — to this position, and it would appear that most of our Palmerston residents, who would otherwise be eligible, are m some way or other connected with business pursuits. But even though this objection did not exist on the part of the Grovernment, there are few we think m our commercial community who could conveniently — or if they could — who would care to so far separate themselves from their business'associatious as would be requisite to a faithful discharge of the duties attendant upon the position. At the present moment we can only call to mind the names of two gentlemen not pursuing commerce and m other respects possessing the requisite qualifications entitling them to hold this honorable post. The gentlemen we have m view are Mr J. "Waldegrave and Mr H. McNeil. The first named possesses the respect of his fellow townsmen ; has the requisite time aud ability, and is furthermore a resident of the* township, and as such would doubtless be easier of access than the latter. The latter gentleman is likewise held m high esteem by*the community, resides but a short distance from the town, and very frequently drives into Palmerston ; and, we have no doubt, did he hold the office under consideration, that his visits would be still more frequent. That it is desirable that a gentleman holding this honorable office should possess a fair knowledge of law we readily admit, but whilst making this admission, we are not prepared to say that this is an absolutely necessary essential m an aspirant to the position. Many Justices of the Peace possessing but a very imperfect knowledge of common law have dischargedtheir duties satisfactorily to the general public ; and it seems to us that what is termed practical common sense is far more requisite m an aspirant to the office than is the possession of a large amount of legal lore, which m some cases — particularly when the man is not a lawyer by profession — tends to make its owner captious. Already'the roll of Justices for the Colony of New Zealand comprises over 1000 names, but notwithstanding that this list presents a formidable appearance, provided the gentlemen enrolled are competent to discharge their duties — as the office is one of honor and not of emolument — we do not see that either the Government or the public can raise any valid ground of objection against its rapid growth. If the exigencies of the Colony demand it, and eligible men can be found willing to accept the responsibilities aud duties as well as the honor pertaining to the position, we see no reason why the list should not assume far larger proportions. We are founding townships, some of them destined at no distant future to become populous cities — and planting thriving farm settlements m the wilderness, and as we advance our love of justice as well as of

liberty goes with us ; and m the absence of a sufficient number of paid magistrates m a district, we require men oi sense, possessing our confidence and armed with the authority of law to judge between man and man and preserve to the individual those rights and privileges to which he is equitably entitled. As a precedent to the nomination of another Justice of the Peace m this district, we notice that three gentlemen were duly sworn m as Justices of the Colony of New Zealand, before E. Ward, Esq., R. M., at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Marton, on the Bth instant. We trust that our Resident Magistrate will use his influence with the Government m urging upon them the necessity of appointing without delay some one m this district to a similar office. Not having spoken to either gentleman mentioned by us on the subject, we cannot speak positively as to their willingness or otherwise to accept office, but have no doubt, that if placed before them m the light of a duty to their fellow colonists, either would willingly respoud to the call.