OUR MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 37, 14 June 1915, Page 6

OUR MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

[iu IHH Editor Stratfobo Post.] Sir.—ln your issue of the Bth inst., under the heading of "An Injustice," appears a letter front the pen of the versatile Mr Hawkins. This gentleman in his over-eagerness to "fatner" the interests of the down-trodden( ?) ('•the long suffering and wonderfully patient" to use Mr .Hawkins' own words) public, so often rushes into print without having made himself thoroughly conversant with the facts of the case on which lie at the time happens to be expatiating, that at times he does a gross injustice to others. In this case his letter is well headed "an injustice" for it is certainly that to our Magistrate, who as a public officer, cannot well reply to the letter. Has Mr Hawkins onsidered the scope of Mr Kenrick's duties. Two days a week he presides over Court sittings at Hawera, one day a week at Eltham, and one day a week at Stratford. In addition, he takes the sittings at Manaia and at Patea. Also there is Chamber work to be attended to, bis law reading to be kept up, his reserved decisions prepared, and at times inquests over fires or fatal accidents to be presided over. Residing at Hawera, the centre of his district, a considerable amount of time is taken up in travelling to the different Courts. In connection with the Stratford Court, I understand he has to come up the previous evening or leave Hawera on Friday morning shortly after seven, an hour somewhat earlier than that at which most public officers have to' commence the day's duties. Whereas the Court sits at Hawera at 10.30 a.m. and in some of the cities at 11 a.m., Mr Kenrick sits an hour earlier than he need, at Stratford, so as to do his best for litigants and counsel. I understand that a fortnight ago MiKen rick sat here for three consecutive days, so that two defended cases might be got through without delay, and that this is not an isolated case. I have spo'Reii to'one or two of our legal men (whom Mr Hawkins perhaps thinks of as the "Devil's Own" and they do not seem to appreciate and do not encourage cases extending over from week to week. It only means that they, having a case all wrjkea up for the hearing and their minds concentrated on all the points of evidence and law, have to drop it to give place to the following week's other varied business, and then to pick Hie case up again. Even more so it would be with the Magistrate, where he is hearing different cases every sitting, that he would be desirous of seeing a case finished as expeditiously as possible. Would Mr Hawkins, if in our Magistrate's position and with the other duties detailed as above, be prepared—or for that matter be able —to spend Friday from early morning tillS p.m. in taking the Stratford sitting? I trow not. I have seen our Clerk of the Court in the street "ice or twice lately, and he does not appear to have aged much over Mr Hawkins' irony in writing of him. MiReeve does his work conscientiously and well. Having read this letter, you will, sir,l think, agree with me that Mr Kenrick has done a gross and personal injustice to Mr Kenrick in his letter. I am, etc. "STRATFORDITE." 14-6-1915.