Judge Weston on Civil Jurisdiction.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3141, 13 March 1879, Page 2

Judge Weston on Civil Jurisdiction.

In the District Court to-dayia labouring man, in an action for £189 ona contract, was non-suited; the evidence disclosing a partnership between himself and defendants, storekeepers and substantial men, and also showing that the equity of proceedings for partnership aocounis Should have been substituted. Judge Weston, with much earnestness, said, it is a monstrous shame that in this colony, with all bur Couris, people should be unable to avenge their wrongs. The Supreme Court ia beyond ordinary people; the procedure is slow and costly. The sittings are few —oa the West Coast but two a-year— and he could not understand why the Distiict Judge should have unlimited powers wlnn siting under the Mines and Mining Companies and Bankruptcy Acts, pnd, ps a criminal judc,e, having power to pass long sentences, should have no jurisdiction in a case of partnership and other equity suits of greater o* 1 less magnitude. The costs in tin District Court were small, and here the sittings were monthly. He cor eluded by saying that he turned the plaintiff away to practically leave him without redress, and there were many similar cases. Gainness and Pitt, solicitors, concurred in the Judge's remarks. —Star telegram.