MR H.A. STRATFORD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 316, 9 November 1880, Page 2

MR H.A. STRATFORD.

The Grey River Argos of 15th instant remarks—“ Mr Stratford inspected the Court-house yesterday, and remained ;;r for a short period in Court during proceedings before Mr Revell. ” Our contemporary, however, does not believe* in public servants being masters of : the public, and threee days afterwards (Monday) makes a more sighificent * allusion to the fact in the following ” smart paragraph—“ The proverbial new broom sweeping ; clean has received another iliustration. On Saturday, having some business to transact at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, we were rather surprised to find the following notice in a bold Roman hand, posted over the Clerk’s window ;— ‘ Notice.No plaints or complaints will be received, nor summonses issued on Saturday’s. By order, Tom Kenrick, Clerk of Court. 16 10 80.’ Laconicenough and peremptory very. We should like to know by whose order this stoppage of business on Saturdays has been issued. We think not by the Administrator of the Government, or' ; the Minister of Justice, and we query very much if anybody else has authority to issue such a fiat. If no business is to be transacted, better shut up shop altogether and give the newly-appointed Recent Magistrate and his clerks a perpetual holiday. Magistrate’s and Warden’s Courts are open for the convenience of the public, and not merely to ha closed when it may suit , the whim or the pleasure of * By order.’ . There are troubled waters ahead, our late Warden, as it is evident by above,that the Argus does intend to allow the district to be sat upon. Perhaps, however, this “shot across the bows ” will stay further progress.