The Governor and the Chief Justice. Perth, September.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 2

The Governor and the Chief Justice. Perth, September.

A singular difficulty has arisen here between Governor Broome and Chief Justice Onslow, in' 'which great public interest is taken, sympathy being entirely with Chief JTusftpe. ' It has been brought about ,by a, dispute as to the duties of a judge as io advising the Goyemoi 1 on a petition ;by prisoners for remission of sentence. The Chief Justice has refused to advise qn such petitions, on the ground that the prerogative of mercy lies with the Crown

alone. This view was confirmed by the Secretary of S^afc for tho Colonies as i far as one particular case Avenb, bub the abstract principle raised has nob been decided. Four other similar cases have since arisen, which the Chief Justice re-fused-to, advise upon. A heated correapbnderice ha*v>nsued, and the Chief Justice referred fche x question bo the Home Government. Subsequently the Executive "Council passed a "resolution in favour of the suppression of the Chief Justice, upon which the latter t published the correspondence, and the Governor has, by the advice of the Executive, interdicted him from the further exorcise of his functions. A monster meeting of residents of Perth was held on Saturday evening jn tho Town Hall, for the purpose of expressing indignation r at* the < 'Governor's interdiction of tho Chief Justice. The speakers' we're frequently interrupted by. enthusiastic cheers for tho Chief Justice, while the names of the Governor and members of tho Executive Council provoked groans, hisses, and other strong manifestations^ of disapproval. Resolutions were carried expressing deop sympathy with the Chief Justice, and indignation at the action of the Governor, which was considered a gross interference with tho independence of the Bench, and an attack on the liberties of the people. It was also resolved to request the Secretary of State to at once remove the interdiction from tho Chief Justice, and recall the Governor. The substance of the resolutions was cabled to the Secretary of State this morning. At- the conclusion of the meeting the effigy of the Governor was drawn through the principal thoroughfares and afterwards burnt.