DUNEDIN.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2921, 26 June 1878, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

"■•'■ Tuesday. Referring to the judicial changes, the Times this morning touches upon the administration of justice in the Resident Magistrate's Court, and states that a feeling prevails that those members of the Bar who are not in connnection with Mr Bathpate by ties of kinship cannot gain the cjx of the Court, and that in more f ban one office in town the practice was, unless specially instructed to the contrary, to set down all cases for Wednesday, on which day Mr Mansford used to preside. The Times trusts that the Attorney-General will take steps to satisfy himself of the correctness of this. . Before proceeding with the business this morning Mr Bathgate said that his usefulness as a magistrate would be impaired if he did not refer to the Times' article. He then remarked that it was always difficult to meet a ' statement of a vague and general character. He had always endeavoured to hold the seat of justice evenly, and had taken all possible precaution against charges of partiality being made. He had taken notes at greater length than usual, and these had .bsen preserved for reference,/ and in all important cases he had delivered written judgments, explaining his reasons for the conclusion arrived at. He was thus enabled to challenge inquiry into every act of his official life. He had endeavouied to ■ give satisfaction to the public gene-Jly, and he had not been unsuccessful. The safeguard of the purity of that Court was the power of appeal; and further, any person aggrieved could lay his grievances before the Minister of Justice. ; This day. Mr C. S. Reeves and Mr B. Oliver were rominated for the city to-day. The show of hands was largely in favor of Mr Beeves. The pol I takes place on Monday.