AN INJUSTICE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 32, 8 June 1915, Page 6

AN INJUSTICE.

[To The Editor Pobt.l Sir, —Verily the public of Stratford is long-suffering and wonderfully patient. For several years the Stipendiary Magistrate- (Mr Ken rick), a servant of the public, lias, in the discharge of his Magisterial duties, exhibited a seeming indifference to the interests of litigants who resort to the Court, over which he presides, for a settlement ol their differences. Apparently indifferent as to the expense and inconvenience,. both of litigants and witnesses, tliis Magistrate chops off the hearing of any ease he may he engaged in, be- j fore three o’clock in the afternoon in order that he may proceed to his rest-, deuce in Hawera. What does this ac-j tion mean to litigants 'i Annually, in j the aggregate, it means hundreds of pounds in additional'expenses. Take a typical case: There are two litigants, 1 two batches of witnesses-(a percentage of wholn may have travelled long distances) and two . legal gentlemen to appear in Court in connection with a ease that should be completed at one sitting, but at the sweet will of the Magistrate, such a ease may be, and often is, adjourned once, twice, and in some cases perhaps three times in consecutive weeks, before 8 p.m., for the aforesaid personal reason, thus adding largely to the expense and inconvenience of the people concerned. It may bo, of course, that the S.M. has not thought of this aspect of the question, but now that it has been pointed out to hinv, no doubt he will alter the system. There is another train to Hawera from Stratford in the evening, so that he can, if he so desires, reach his home at a reasonable hour. Personally, 1 marvel that this state of things has been tolerated so long.. Of course,the legal fraternity could not be expected to express any disi,satisfaction, this for obvious reasons, and the over-worked, though intensely popular Clerk of Court, is naturally delighted with an arrangement which tends to lighten the duties of liis arduous position. Feeling sure that this public injustice will he 'immediately remedied.—l arfi, etc., W, H. HAWKINS. Stratford, Bth June, 1915.