PITY THE DISTRICT JUDGE.

Patea Mail, 15 July 1880, Page 3

PITY THE DISTRICT JUDGE.

The present type of District Judge in New Zealand is rarely skilful enough to avoid the errors incident to ignorance or defective education, and it is therefore difficult for those who attend his court to follow the mysterious process of his reasoning, and the startling phenomena of its results. Some of his dedecisions arc of course arrived at with a precipitated rashness that staggers all attempts to understand them, while those that arc reserved for his more deliberate reflection ultimately seethe light in formulated language that leaves one in doubt as to what is solemn and what is facetious. We have jnevcr found it very profitable or engaging to contract an intimate acquaintance with these gentlemen’s critical labours. In such as we have examined it has not been difficult to detect evidences of a laborious effort to inspire the public with reverence for the upright officer of justice. But the discrimination of the public might well be left to itself, as quite able to distinguish bctwccnrcal and pretended sagacity. A ridiculous display of apparently extensive reading, to excite the wonder of the unlearned, and to play upon ignorance, can only be indulged in by one who fondly deems all men arc born fools for the advantage of himself alone. —Wang. Chronicle.