BUSY POLICE COURT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 765, 11 September 1929, Page 18

BUSY POLICE COURT

POSITION AT OTAHUHU NEW COURTHOUSE NEEDED Th© large amount of business now being transacted at the monthly sitting of the Otahuhu Police Court was evidenced on Monday, when the court commenced at 10 a.m. and, with threequarters of an hour for lunch, rose at 5.45 p.m., with on© case proceeding. Three others were adjourned until October 14. Mr. F. M. Levien, S.M., the presiding magistrate, said it appeared as if th© Otahuhu Court was the happy settling ground for Auckland’s motor accidents, and if the volume of work of the past few months continued, it would be necessary to hold the court fortnightly. The lack of accommodation is also very evident, and th© question of providing up-to-date premises cannot be shelved much longer. The cases dealt with in this court come from the Otahuhu, Mangere, Papatoetoe, East Tamaki, Howick, Whitford, Manurewa, Brookby and Weymouth districts. There is only one table, with seats for five persons. Two of these are occupied by the sergeant of police and the traffic inspector respectively, leaving three chairs for the use of solicitors and Press representatives. Witnesses who are ordered out of court have to seek shelter on a narrow verandah, open to the elements. Court officials agree that the provision of up-to-date quarters for the dispensing of justice cannot possibly bo delayed much longer.