Overburdened J.P.’s

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 33, 9 February 1937, Page 6

Overburdened J.P.’s

SAME WORK COULD BE DONE B\ DEPARTMENTAL OFFICER. Pur Press Association. HASTINGS, Last Night. Changes iu tho allocation of work which falls upon Justices of tho Peace are advocated by Hastings men who act. in that capacity. They complain that much of their time is occupied with work of this nature and their businesses are affected as a result. One man said he spent as much as 25 hours a wook iu Court. To-day, for instance, iu the first two hours his office was open ho hud received about 20 callers while he had a large batch of papers whieu would take him a further 20 minutes to fix up. The pension work was recently increased and last month application forms under the Mortgagors and Lessees Relief Act caused a heavy volume of work. In order to combat the position ,the suggestion is made either that many more Justices be appointed or senior Government officials such as postmaster, stationmaster, Clerk of Court, Public Trustee and other departmental officers should be empowered to deal writh the witnessing of signatures. For example, postal documents could go to the stationmaster or Court.