MAGISTRATE AND PROHIBITIONISTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8342, 26 January 1907, Page 6

MAGISTRATE AND PROHIBITIONISTS.

THE ASHBURTON PETITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. ASHBURTON, Jan. 25. At the Magistrate's Court, to-day, Mr Wray, S.M., stated that it would be the last occasion on which he would preside. Since No-license came into force he had been subjected to a good deal of criticism by a section of the community, who said he had treated offenders under the Licensing laws with undue leni-

ency, and on these grounds had petitioned the Government for his removal. He hud furnished reports on these allegations, and had been officially informed that no reason had been shown for his removal. He felt that criticism of this sort would impair his usefulness as a Magistrate, and he had asked to be relieved of the duty of presiding in the Ashburton Court. The request had been •granted. Magistrates' duties in Canterbury had been re-arranged, and Mr V. G. Day, S.M., would in future sit at Ashburton and Rakaia. Mr Purnell, solicitor, on behalf of the Bar, expressed regret at the intimation. Members of the Ear had not sympathised with the petition, and had voluntarily written a letter to the Minister of Justice drawing his attention to this fact. Mr Wray had always exercised a great impartiality," not only in the cases referred to, but in every other case as well.