DISTRICT COURT.

Southland Times, Issue 1563, 12 April 1872, Page 3

DISTRICT COURT.

The first session of the District Court of Western Otago was held at the Supreme Courthouse, Kelvin street, on Wednesday. The "hour fixed for opening was eleven o'clock, but it was nearly half- past eleven when His Honor Judge Ward took his seat on the bench. His Honor apologised for the delay, explaining; that it had arisen from a difference between his watch and the Invercirgill time. Nearly all the members of the local bar were present, in full forensic costume, the public being represented by one solitary individual. The Clerk of the Court, Mr B»ttfl, read the proclamation in the Gazette, defining the district and constituting the Court, and notifying the appointment of His Honor Judge Ward to be District Judge. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr Macrlonald, then addressed His Honor on behalf of the members of the bar practising in Invercargill, expressing their gratification at the establishment of a District Court, and in seeing His Honor presiding as Judge. He had also much pleasure in informing His Honor of the fact that on this occasion there was no criminal business to be brought before the Court. His Honor replied in a few complimentary remarks, expressive of his satisfaction in returning once more to Invercargill, and his sincere hope that the good understanding which had prevailed, and the courtesy which had marked the relations between the bar and the Bench, would continue as at present. IHT CHAMBESa. Scott v. Anderson. — This was an action brought in the Warden's Court at Orepuki, whereby the plaintiff, Buchanan Scott, recovered judgment against the defendant, Joseph Anderson, for £146 8s 2£d for wages, and costs, Bs. The finding was as follows : — "Finding for plaintiff for £.146 8s 2£d, with 8s costs ; to be paid within six months, or claim to be sold for the lien under clause 7 of the Goldfields Act, 1866." The Warden having refused to grant immediate execution on this judgment, the certificate of the judgment was fifed in the District Court, under clause 73 of tho Gold fields Act, and application was made to the Court for leave to issue execution at once. Mr Wade, for the plaintiff, contended that the words "to be paid within six months," were mere sumlusage, and did not amount to an order for stay of execution for six months, but merely provided that, in event of tho judgment not being satisfied within that time, it was then to be satisfied in a particular manner. The application was refused, the judge holding that the words in question must have been intended by the Warden as a stay of execution.