The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 894, 5 February 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1868.

The General Government, in carrying out its expressed policy of reducing working expenses in every department, is now engaged on that of the judicial. Among the changes determined upon, is that of limiting the number of Eesident Magistrates for Southland. There is only one to be allowed for Invercargill and Campbelltown. Upon this becoming known, a general interest was felt as to which of the present Magistrates, Mr H. M'Culloch, Eesident Magistrate, InTercargill, or Mr I. N. "Watt, Eesident Magistrate, Campbelltown, was to be removed. Nearly the whole of the Justices of the Peace, upon learning of the proposed reduction, memoralised the Government to retain in the Province Mr M'Culloch, which memorial was at once endorsed by merchants, bankers, and other of the citizens. Mr M'Cttlloch is entitled to receive the option of retaining office, if willing to adopt the proposed amalgamation of duties. During the period that \he has presided as Eesident Magistrate, the greater part of the whole magisterial business of the Province has devolved upon him. He has proved himself a painstaking and honest administrator of the law. In his social associations he has justly earned the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been thrown in contact. Whenever the public interest was to be advanced, no one has been more willing to lend pecuniary aid and personal exertion. It is impossible that any magistrate could adjudicate upon the multitudinous, cases that, have bean decided in the Police Court since Mr M'Cttlloch has presided, without some being questioned and condemned. On the whole, however, there are few magistrates in the colony who have performed a like amount of work, with so few complainings. The advent of the " Extended Jurisdiction Act," entailed upon him a considerable amount of extra work of a most complicated character, and he succeeded in discharging it with more than ordinary success. The study and consideration he gave to the difficult cases brought before him, may have at first led a few to think that he frequently took too long a time to arrive at a decision ; but all agreed that it was with the honest desire to come to an impartial judgment. In his capacity of magistrate, sheriff, or auditor, he has evidenced integrity and perseverance. With these facts before us, it will be most distasteful to the community, should he be taken from his present sphere of labor. We cannot imagine that Mr Staffobd can contemplate doing so, knowing as he must, the high estimation that has been

formed by the citizens, of Mr M'Oulloch, as a public officer. It is not in any way our intention to ' disparage Mr "Watt's claims upon the . G-overnment for promotion. He, no doubt, has discharged the small and sinecure duties devolving upon him, honestly, and to the best of his ability. His magisterial labors have been of so insignificant a description, that he is almost unknown, except as Maori protector, which office he appears pre-eminently qudified for. His long residence in the Nortff, hi a intimate acquaintance with the native race, his knowledge of the Maori language, point to him as a most desirable officer for promotion in the native department. There can be no question that he possesess adaptability for public work of a certain class — the North should be the field of his future labors. The people of this Province would desire to see Mr Watt employed in a more congenial and active occupation than he now follows, but they would not consent to accept him as Resident Magistrate in exchange for Mr M'Cttlloch.