PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 67, 21 March 1843, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

On Thursday evening last, a Public Meeting took place at Barrett’s Hotel, “for the purpose of considering the best means of getting the present alarming costs of the County Court on the recovery of small debts (which amounts to a denial of justice in most cases) reduced, and also, to address the Government on the most suitable constitution for a Court for the recovery of small debts in this borough.” The assemblage was numerous, and on the motion of Mr. S. Revans, seconded by Dr. Dorset, his Worship the Mayor was called to the chair.

On taking the chair, the Mayor alluded t the fact of only eighteen gentlemen being pre sent out of the thirty-nine who signed the requisition calling the meeting, and said it was highly blameable to show such a want of courtesy and respect to the public.

Mr. John Wade came forward and stated that, in publishing the enormous bill delivered to him, for the recovery of a small debt, he had not intended to throw any slur upon the legal profession, but merely to prove that an evil, and a gross one too, did exist. Mr. Wade then proposed the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Hair, and which was carried— That the present practice of the County Court, which renders it impossible for a suitor to conduct his own cause, even for the recovery of a debt of a few shillings only, and the amount of fees payable in the progress of a suit is such as to deter all poor suitors from seeking their past rights, &c., amounts to a denial of justice to that portion of the community to whom a facility in recovering their past debts is of great importance, &c., for which a small debt court, conducted on the simple 'plan of such institutions in the mother country, is positively required. Mr. Johnson moved in a few words, secondrd by Mr. Revans— That in order to remedy the existing evil of the costs and practice of the present County Court, it is the opinion of this Meeting that a Court of Requests should be established for the recovery of debts not exceeding <£2o.‘ to be tried in a s ummary way before a Commissioner and two Assessors; and that the costs of such Court be on the same scale as the costs of such Courts in the mother country. Mr. Wade informed the meeting how such Courts were carried on in the sister colonies. The Chairman was sorry that no legal gentleman had come forward to give information on the subject; but since there had not, he begged leave to state that for five years he was a Commissioner at the Guildhall, London, and that debtors were brought before a body who were elected from amongst the most respectable inhabitants, and that they had a clerk, a legal gentleman, upon whom they could depend. The cases were treated summarily, to the satisfaction of all, and the expenses incurred were very trifling. He (the Chairman) was sure such a Court might be established here, and a body of gentlemen always be found willing to act as Commissioners, in the settlement. The Chairman further stated that they were unpaid. The resolution was then put and carried. Dr. Dorset moved, seconded by Mr. Wallace— That a Committee be formed to carry out the foregoing resolutions, and to draw 7 up a Memorial to the Government on the subject, which Memorial, it is the opinion of this Meeting, should be forwarded to the Chief Justice, with a request that he will support it. Carried unanimously. Mr. Sutton moved, seconded by Mr. Scott, that the following gentlemen do form a Committee — Messrs. Hunter, Colonel Wakefied, H. Ross, Dr. Evans, Brandon, Messrs. Revans, Cheesman, Guyton, Fenny, Waitt, Wallace, Johnson. Wade, Carried. Mr. Sutton moved, seconded by Mr. Wade, that Mr. Hunter do leave the Chair, and Mr. Partridge take the same. Carried. A vote of thanks was then given to Mr. Hunter, for his conduct in the Chair, and the meeting separated.