The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 292, 24 July 1875, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1875.

“ W e shall sell to no man justice or right: \\ e shall deny to no. man justice or right: We shall del er to no man justice or right.”

If we adopt an expression made use of by Judge Stephens over twenty years ago, in Dunedin, during an interesting trial in which the learned gentleman figured rather disadvautageously as plaintiff, most persons having business to transact at the .Resident Magistrate’s Court, Gisborne, will understand that dignitary’s impatience at the “ tedious process of the law.” Judge Stephens was implicated in what was said to be at the time a social scandal, —into the particulars of which it is not necessary now to enter —and he could not, or did not, brook the “ law’s delay” by waiting the result of its ordinary machinery being put in motion ; but chose rather to precipitate matters by an abnegation of lhe law over which he was appointed to preside. • We have not quoted this to illustrate the desirableness of any one taking the law, as such, into bis own hands ; but to show how the “ tedious process” of outlocal petty Court of Judicature operates adversely to the interests of the people, as also to indicate the necessity for a change by which its processes may be rendered more effective. It must be apparent to all concerned that there is a tedibus and unnecessary delay occasioned through the weekly sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and, as certain changes are being effected in that department, the present time seems to be a fitting opportunity in which to draw the attention of the Government to the matter. The business brought before the Court has increased very much lately, and, as the population of the Bay is augmented, it will, doubtless, continue to increase; consequently, the public will—indeed, they do now—require extended accommodation, and means for the protection of their interests. We do not by these remarks imply that the Courtis bound by an iron rule to sit but one day in the week ; cases initiated du Tuesday —the ordinary sitting day—are usually disposed of, de die in diem, thereafter, if public convenience requires that their hearing should be proceeded with without delay ; but it would be a great boon if the regular Court sittings were held more frequently. Especially is the present hebdomadal system fraught with inconvenience and hardship to traders, as all civil cases are inexorably put down for the initiative hearing on Tuesdays only, thus, an absconding debtor has the “ tedious process of the law” on his side by having some days’ start of the constable in making his way from his too lenient creditor. Instances of this kind have been of such frequeut occurrence in Poverty Bay during the past year that au alteration in the direction we aim at is positively necessary. A dishonest man with a plausible excuse and pitiful request for further time, while planning a scheme for eluding justice, works the present machinery to his own ends. It is Wednesday ; the Court does not sit till the following Tuesday, and, in the meantime, the delinquent has taken his departure from a place in which the law is too impotent, or too inadequately administered to prevent it. Weare aware, however, that there are means to make a debtor give an immeaccount of his ability fopayaclaim that may be made against him. The law gives him 48 hours’ notice to answer in, which is very proper where actuated, by honest intentions; but unless the sitting day comes round before he leaves the district, it must be proved, or suspected, that he is about to leave the jurisdiction of the Court, when a special application has to be made for a forthwith summons which cannot, in all cases, be granted, or, if so, no reliable dependence can be placed on its being heard in sufficient time to be effective. Dr. NESBiTi’sdual occupation asß.M.and M.D. isnow found to be inconvenient for the requirements of the service. There is plenty of work to demand the undivided attention of a stipendiary Magistrate on the Gisborne Bench, and; although particular business may, in a measure, be met by the local unpaid Magistracy, the opinion still holds that to reduce the grievance as much as possible, it is essential that the trading interests of the community should be protected by extended facilities for putting the ordinary processes of the law more effectively in force.

An impression having gone abroad, through the remarks made in the Herald of last Tuesday, that scab has broken out afresh on the East Coast, we have been requested by Mr. Meldbum to contradict that impression, and to offer a few words in explanation. The Herald has, evidently, been mis-infornied, probably by some one not wholly disinterested in his neighbors’ affairs, who has worked up a little sensation for the benefit of whom is may concern. It is well known that scab has existed in the vicinity referred to for the last 18 months, and both the owner and Inspector have used, and are using, • very p< ssible precaution to keep the disease under. It is, therefore unfair

to all concerned, as well as creating unnecessary alarm, to say “it has already spread over one holding-,” thereby implying that its appearance is a thing of yesterday ; and we are authorised todeny, most emphatically, the Herald 4- st .tement that ‘ there is “ too much reason to fear that unless “ prompt and decisive steps are taken “ to arrest its progress, this scourge to sheep farming will extend all along “ the Coast.” There is no more fear now of this dire calamity overtaking the flocks on the coast, than there has been for the last year and a half, “ prompt and decisive” means having been employed all along effectually to prevent it.

The recent report of scab having broken out at the East Cape is still a matter of doubt, but is receiving the Inspector’s attention.