Early editor shows courage

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 250, 12 July 1988, Page 13

Early editor shows courage

With this week's edition of the Bulletin carrying the monthly Court Report, it is interesting to look back to an editorial which appeared in the Waimarino County Call in 1908 criticising the then Magistrate in the strongest possible terms under the heading: "Wanted - a New Magistrate."

Unfortunately we are unable to report on the subsequent fates of either the magistrate in question or the writer of the editorial! Wanted - A New Magistrate "For some time past many and often have been the complaints against the present

magistrate who holds sittings of the Court at Ohakune and Raetihi. At the last sitting of the Raetihi and Ohakune court on Thursday Mr Stanford showed an unwarranted impatience while various cases were being heard and the proceedings at Ohakune on Thursday were anything but a credit to a court of justice. It could easily be

seen that Mr Stanford's one aim was to get back by the return train to Taihape and, if so, he certainly managed it to the discomfort and inconvenience of the many people who had business at the Court. Not a moment did he study (the evidence of) the many people who were called as witnesses in the cases and who had come miles to attend the Court. Not a moment did he consider one or two solicitors when they were examining witnesses but heckled Mr Wise with his "well?"

in such a manner as to cause an uneasiness that could be felt right throughout the Court. Such was his hurry that in the case of Police v Mercer he fined the defendant £10 on each charge before hearing the defendant's solicitor, Mr Harris, and after hearing Mr Harris then reduced the fine to £5 on each charge. However, to the mind of the writer (of this editorial) a more serious question is the decision of the Magistrate in the case of Police v Finlay.

Here was a young fellow fined £50 on the most trashy evidence ever listened to in a court of law. Finlay was found by Constables Carey and McLeod in a place with five others drinking whisky of which only a paltry bottle and a half was found. No proof of sale was forthcoming and yet the Magistrate fined Finlay £50, in default three months imprisonment and gave the defendant 15 minutes to pay the fine. If ever there was an unwarranted sentence this was one and it calls for a searching enquiry on behalf of the Justice Department. In view of the many complaints heard from people in the Waimarino it is quite evident that Mr Stanford should be asked to retire from the Bench." Waimarino County Call, Monday 7 September 1908