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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2489, 23 June 1888, Page 2

Thk vacancy on the Judicial Bench caused by the death of Mr Justice Johnston, senior puisne judge of New Zealand, ha 3 not yet been filled. In the natural order of things the claim of District Judge Ward, to the position should be at once reeoguised, He lias had many year's experience on the Bench, his legal training and knowledge of jurisprudence is of a very high order, and his dignified bearing and cultured manners qualify him to occupy the post with honour. Judge Ward has at more than one period taken his seat in the Supreme Court, and on the last occasion, when he actcd as judge in Auckland in the absence of Mr Justice Gillies in England, Mr Ward gained the esteem of the whole community, and his decisions in cases of great importance and difficulty won him the admiration of the legal profession and the public. From length of service, apart from his many other qualifications, Judge Ward should be elected to the Vacant judgeship. It is rumoured that the Ministry aredallying with the appointment in order to gain political support in certain quarters. We cannot credit that they would gully their reputation by prostituting the Judicial Bench of the colony for any such improper purposes.