The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 111, 24 March 1870, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870. "Measures, not Men."

Six months ago the members of the legal profession, in the Dunedin Athenaeum assembled,took seriously into consideration the question of gentlemen calling themselves articled clerks, mining agents, &a, practising in up-co.untry Courts. The assembly was represented, we believe, by the principal members of the Dunedin Bar ; and the feeling exhibited against their up-country competitors showed their fears of having the bread taken out of their mouths by unprofessional gentlemen. This certainly was a great compliment to pay to those up-country agents, who had nothing to recommend themselves, but their own natural -ability and aptitude for the work to which they had turned their attention, to gain an honest livelihood. Since that Dunedin meeting we have not heard anything further of the matter, until at the recent sittings of the Criminal Court Mr. Justice Ward expressed himself strongly opposed to the practice of articled clerks, who had no opportunity of fulfilling their articles, being allowed to practise as solicitors in up-country Courts. When his Honour entered such a protest, it would have been well had he also backed it with a recommendation as to the course necessary for people in these out-lying districts to pursue, it may be illegal, although his Honour did not say so, but it is certainly extremely convenient for people far removed from that centre of wisdom, the Dunedin Bar, to have recourse even to unprofessional gentlemen for advice and assistance in times of difficulty. But, looking at this question apart altogether from its legality, and merely as a matter of expediency or public convenience, very little objection can be found to the practice of articled clerks acting as solicitors in these Courts. Let us ask who are the gentlemen who do act in that capacity, and what position do they hold in the community % In nearly every case that has come under our observation in the Otago Gold£elds they are men who have been for many years in the colony, and have given their almost undivided attention to mining matters — men who are thoroughly conversant Avith the Mining Regulations— who have, in fact, iv some cases had much to do. in the framing of those Regulations, and withal have devoted no small attention to. the study of the law according to New Zealand. It ib well known that these thinly-popu-lated districts are incapable of supporting solicitors in such a manner as these professional gentlemen might deservedly expect after spending a lifetime in attaining to their worthy position. On the other hand, the requirements of those unprofessional gentlemen — those articled clerks — are small, an,d their services admitted to be of great assistance to the- Resident Magistrates. They have hitherto, proved themselves quite capable of overtaking the necessities of the scattered population on the Goldftelds, and giving satisfaction to the public. They have each their professional gentleman at the head centre, whose counsel they can at all times invoke in cases of doubt and difficulty, so that their liability to error is not so great as has been on, some, occasions asserted. Referring to the two gentlemen who have for some considerable time past been practising as articled clerks in the Lawrence Court, our Resident Magistrate has expressed himself as thoroughly satisfied with them. He considers they have conducted themselves as gentlemen should, do ; and he. admits they have been of invaluable assistance to himself as well aa. to the public. In this his Worship only endorses the view- whjch his Honour Justice Grey has repeatedly expressed. In sequestered spots like Tuapeka, far rempved from learning- and civilisation, we have jumped-up magistrates, preachers, litttfraieurs, chemists, printers, &c, and we. see no valid reason why we should not have.jumped-up lawyers, if the convenience of the public call for them, especially when it is found that these magistrates, preachers, litterateurs, lawyers, &c, of mushroom growth oftfcimes prove superior in their various callings to those who have passed through a regular college, curriculum.