IRRESPONSIBLE J.sP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 9 August 1907, Page 2

IRRESPONSIBLE J.sP.

Pel Press Association. ' Invercaigill, August 8. ' In dismissing the case at Kiverton 1 against Jlary Prentice and Sarah Jack--1 soil, mother and daughter, who were charged with stealing goods the property of the hitter's husband, Mr McCarthy, S.M., said this was tho third occasion within six months in which Justices in that district had issued warrants in private eases, and on each cccasiou investigation showed no ease against the person subjected to tlia indignity of arrest. Ilia practice was to take very minute evidence on oath, in order to ascertain whether proceedings were justified, and, if so, whether V> warrant or summons. Justices should only proceed after most careful inquiry, lie had no hesitation in saying that the issue of a warrant and institution of criminal proceedings were a groBS abuse of the criminal process, and tha arrest of the two accused was an outrage. His Worship concluded: "I trust this will be the last occasion on which a Justice in this district will issue a warrant without any justification whatever." Defendants wore arrested at the mother's residence in Dunedin, and pasßtd a night in the lock-up.