JUDGE EDWARDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2936, 9 May 1891, Page 2

JUDGE EDWARDS.

~* HIS STATEMENT OF DEFENCE. (UY TKLKCiKAI'ir. — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION). WKI.MNGTON, List Night. Thk statement in defence in Mr Edwards' case was filed this afternoon. Defendant denies that the Civil List Act, ISU3, Amendment Act, 1573, in any way dealt with or affected tho appointment of Judges as alleged. Ho sets up tho Governor's commission, and alleges that it is in tho same form as all other judges' commissions, and the facts connected with the appointmont of Mr Edwards are sot out very fuliy, in the statement in defence. Defendant submits that the negotiations and correspondence constitute a contract binding on tho Crown, whereby his salary as Judge was ascertained and established. He therefore denies that no salary was ascertained and established for him as alleged, and he denies that Parliament has refused to vote any salary for him as Judge. He alleges that in the session of 18<I0 a minority of the House so far obstructed business that in order to save groat public loss and inconvenience arising from a dissolution by effluxion of time the Minister had to submit to the withdrawal of the word "Judge" in the estimates, thereupon the salary as Commissioner was asked at the same time. The Minister in cliargo declared that the Ministry could not interfere with the defendant in the dissharge of his duties as a Judgj, and would pay the defendant his full salary of JsloOO a-year. Defendant was accoidingly paid his full salary an Judge (not Commissioner) up to the 31st March last. Ho says tho present Government hid caused his removal from office, notwithstanding that there were many matters—several of which had been heard but not finally adjudicated upon—pending before tho Commissioner. Finally, the defendant claims that his commission is in full force, and that it has in no respect impeached, nullified, cancelled, or suspended. Ho claims that ho is now lawfully a puisne Judge. To-morrow morning Mr Gully will move in Chambers before the Chief Justice, in accordance with the notico he has already giv<?n, for the removal of the case info f-.hn Anneal Comt.