THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5217, 11 December 1877, Page 3

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —With reference to a letter in the Times, signed “Vox Populi/’ on the above subject, I happen this morning to have received a letter from a barrister at Napier on the same subject, in which he says .... “ There caanot be a doubt as to the urgent need for the re-establishment of the District Court, There are at present tweuty-three bankrupts awaiting the Supreme Court, and the bankruptcy business is in a most unsatisfactory state, ou ing to ‘ the Court' not being on the spot There are fourteen criminal cases set down for trial this session. Of these, eight are within the District Court criminal jurisdiction, and would have been disposed of long ago if there had been a District Court here. At present, I doubt if the criminal business will be over before Christmas, and if not, when will the civil business begin ? The probate business being all delayed, or sent to Wellington, is a frightful inconvenience, I need not enlarge on the iniquity of the extended jurisdiction system by which the same system prevails for cases of £IOO as for £2O. To any one who has a large practice in the Resident Magistrate's Court the evils are notorious. . . . . . Waipawa is increasing so much that it will be necessary to hold fortnightly instead of monthly sittings there.” . . I think this extract requires no comment. It speaks volumes, and I shall feel obliged if jou will give it a place in your next. —I am, &c., Scrutator. December 10.