R.M. COURT COSTS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 117, 24 May 1876, Page 2

R.M. COURT COSTS.

(to the■ editor of the patka mail.) Sir, —Noticing a letter in yonr paper "of Saturday, the2othinst., signed “Pro Bonn Publico,” referring to a summons which I had issued against U. O’Sullivan, and to prevent your readers from forming any erroneous views respecting this matter, I beg to leave the facts before you. Mr D. O’Sullivan owed me 14s, which he refused to pay, and 1 1 was reluctantly obliged to proceed for the recovery of the same, and to prove my case clearly to the Court, I was absolutely ..compelled to subpoena two witnesses. I was informed on the morning of the hearing by the Clerk of the Court, that O’Sullivan had paid the sUm of IDs into Court, leaving a balance of 10s still due for witnesses’ expenses. On the case being called before Major Turner, R.M., he asked me if I would take, the amount of IDs as full settlement, and said, without hearing any explanation, that it was “ Rot, rot, d —d rot to summons witnesses in a case of 145,” and that he would not allow the expenses, bnt would strike them out, which I had paid into. Court. After very high talk between the, magistrate, defendant,and myself he informed me that he would take a week to consider over the matt.ei', and next'Friday,he would deliver judgment. I remonstrated with him on the subject, pointing out the absurdity of taking a week for consideration, bnt in vain. I was very much astonished that Major Turner should think the amount paid into Court sufficient, without first hearing the merits of the case in question. It would appear to ■■the-uninitiated that hoi nad some means arrived at the verdict ro be given before coming into Court, as he would not be enlightened while on the bench ; but seeing that his settled ideas did not coincide with mine, he required another seven days, and no doubt during that time several consultations (as “ Pro Bono Publico” very ably remarks) with the Attorney-General and other learned authorities. By giving this space in your valuable paper yon will oblige. I am, &0., If.McGuire,