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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 225, 21 April 1868, Page 2

It is strange that up to the present time the District Court has come to grief, and some perpetual hitch seems to be constantly occurring to prevent its machinery working properly. When the first sittings were appointed in February last, it was discovered at the last moment that a jury-list had not been compiled, and the cousequence was that two months were wasted before this necessary particular

was complied with. Even in April it was just about as mucli as the authorities could do to get it completed iu time, and to observe all the necessary formula in connection with it. At last all preliminaries were completed and the criminal calendar was finished, when behold, an objection made by MiTyler disorganises the whole once more, and sends back a perfect flock of insolvents, who hoped to obtain comfort and relief at Judge Clarke's hands without further delay. It appeared that the Court did not possesss Supreme Court jurisdiction in Westland through en informality, and the consequences have been most disagreeable to many persons. It was supposed by some that if the Court had not power to deal with a portion of the civil business, it could not have authority to dispose of criminal cases, and two correspondents have written to make inquiries on this head. It seems, however, that in criminal cases there was never any question, and so far from the proceedings at the late sittings being vitiated as far as sentenced prisoners go there is nothing whatever to, in the least degree, disturb the operation of the Court in that respect. As we have stated above, it is solely a question of Supreme Court jurisdiction that was raised, and after this second false start there is no doubt that we shall eventually have a District Court perfect in all its parts, that no technical objection can upset. The promulgation of a simple Order in Council is, we believe, all that is necessary to set the existing difficulty at rest, and surely after the mishap's that have attended its inauguration, his Honor will see that the necessary forms are at once complied with, so that in future no miscarriage or break down may be possible. The District Court should be, and will be, no doubt a popular tribunal, but if any further stoppage in its action takes place, the public will lose all confidence in its operation, and it will be regarded in the same manner as a damaged fowling-piece with an eccentric lock, that will only go off occasionally, and can never be relied on in a pinch.