Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1895. THE VACANT JUDGESHIP.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5108, 21 August 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1895. THE VACANT JUDGESHIP.

It would bean honour to tho Liberal Party if it worthily fills the vacant judgeship-if it gives to the Into V-v Justice Richmond a successor fitted to take his place. Apparently the Government do not seem anxious to win this honour and to them the filling of mi important post of this discription is merely an opportunity of securir.gspoilsfo the victors, The appointment is to remain open till the recess, for apolitical reason,and when it is made there is little reason to believe that it will prove satisfactory to the country and to the legal profession. Cnly two names have been generally connected with it, that of Judge Ward and Sir Patrick Buckley. Of the two, tho former possesses undoubtedly the stronger .claims and the greater fitness, still, there are many in the Colony who would not consider a Richmond, a judicial chevalier, «/»s pmr et sans reproch, worthily replaced by a Ward. But on this occasion,' Mr Ward does not seem to have a chance, the favorite, being the genial Sir Patrick, a mini who is very popular, but one who is the very antithesis of Mr Justice Richmond. Wc prcsumoifSirPatrickßuckloydesires the postho will get it, however insufficient his qualification may be. He possesses a certain amount of law, nnd a certain amount of common sense, nnd.a certain .character and position, but if he be measured against a man like the late Judge Richmond, he is nowhere. Then I Again his health is hardly fit for heavy judicial duties. It has not always-enabled him to disohargo the duties of perhaps the easiest position in the Ministry. Tho Government flight to be able to fjind abetter man for the position than either Mr Ward .or Sir Patrick, but we' question wJi.eth.ei* it will to.