PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference
EPER C.O. 885
חזרתי
1 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
14
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
NEW ZEALAND. the aid of the appointed assessors, all of which have not only proved satisfactory to the parties concerned, but liave, as far as can be ascertained, elevated the administration of justice to a high appreciation in the native mind, and have tended to strengthen the amicable relations between the two races in this neighbourhood in no inconsiderable degree. Not only have the suitors in this Court been enabled to obtain decisions upon numberless claims, many of then of insignificant amount, at costs much under the scale that had been established by the Courts of Requests' Ordinance, but they have found that the salutary provision which empowers the Court to prescribe such terms and conditions as to the time and mode of satisfying such judg ments as it shall deem just and reasonable to be productive of as much benefit to the creditor as to the debtor.
Furiousding or driving;
or driving from the shaft
drawn by more than one horse. Entire animals at large Penalty, BATARY dogs at large unmuraled. Penalty, cattle damaging pable highways or foot- paths to be driven to the gound, and owners fined. Suspected persons, or reputed thieves or prosti
The summary jurisdiction has also proved of great service in facilitating the arbitraments of numerous cases between European and native, and also between native and native.
I have, on several occasions, found, when complaints have been made of the desire to evade of a cart or waggon when the payment of a just debt, that a simple suggestion (the knowledge existing of the effects of this summary jurisdiction) as to what I conceived would be the equitable mode of adjustment between the parties has been effective in producing an arrangement, without the necessity of ulterior measures being resorted to. The total number of criminal cases which have been dis posed of at this Court during the year were 268, of civil cases 296, the total amount sued for being 1,4741. 19s. 7d.; the total amount of fees and fines were 2161.9s. 5d. In reviewing the operations of the several Ordinances which have been immediately and practically brought under the administration of the Resident Magistrates' Court at Wellington during the year 1848, I would venture to suggest that, in the event of an alteration of the Police Ordinance, penal enactment should be introduced, with a summary jurisdiction on several matters, which, as the law exists, can only be remedied by the more expensive process of proceeding by the Metro- politan Police Act (10 Geo. IV., cap. 44), which has applied such remedies in numerous instances; and its provisions embrace almost every contingent public nuisance of the nature of houses, drugging liquors, those to which I allude; a few are enumerated in the margin.
Ini, to be taken before magistrate, who may convict as rogues and vagabonds. Damaging
umber on the public belt the public road. Piring
of the towns, or damaging
guni in the public streets
or on the public belt.
Penalty for introducing
or gambling in public
&t,
I have only to add, that it appears to me that the advantages obtained by the employment at the present time of a large police force are not commensurate with the cost of maintenance, It might be, however, a matter worthy of consideration, whether, with a view as much to the saying of expense in the support of a numerous constabulary as with the object of gaining influence indirectly among the natives, to retain in the service of Government, either by means of an annual gratuity or by a small quarterly stipend, one or two of the most influential and intelligent young chiefs in each of the principal pals or settlements between Wellington and Maniwatu on the one side and Ahurni on the other. I feel assured that, under proper directions and due encouragement, information through such a channel could at all times be gained of any mischief that might be in issue or in anticipation of being into existence throughout ihe district; at the same time that the retreat of deserters or persons escaping out of custody, or of those keeping beyond, as they might imagine, the reach of the law, would effectually be cut off.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
SIR,
Wellington.
(Signed)
I have, &c.,
HENKY ST. HILL, R.M.
Resident Magistrates' Court, Wellington, May 8, 1819.
1 HAVE the honour to forward an abstract return of all cases disposed of at this Court during the quarter ending 31st March, 18-19.
The only case of importance that has been brought under the cognizance of the Resident Magistrates' Court during the quarter was that of the native" Maroro," who was committed, charged with the wilful murder of John Branhs and his three children. The prompt and vigorous measures that were on that occasion adopted for tracing and apprehending the murderer, his examination and committal for trial, the solemu proceedings by Special Com- mission before the Supreme Court, the conviction and execution of the culprit, have all been so recently brought under review that I have only to express the satisfaction I have experienced, since these events have transpired, in learning from every native whom I have heard hazard an opinion upon this subject a cordial concurrence in the justness of the judgment pronounced on this wretched malefactor.
The Hon the Colonial Secretary.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) H. ST. HILL, R.M.
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
15
ABSTRACT of Casos disposed of at the Resident Magistrates' Court at Wellington, for the Quarter ending 31st December, 1848, distinguishing Criminal and Civil Cases, and showing in each the Numbers respectively of those in which the parties were Natives and Europeans, or Natives only, or Europeans
only.
DESCRIPTION OF CASTI,
Assault
Breach of the Peace
Cattle Trespass Ordinance Drunkenness.
Felony..
Harbour Regulations, Breach of Hired Servants' Act
Larceny
Malicious Injuries
Merchant Seaman's Act
Obstructing an Officer in his
duty
Destitulo Relief Ordinance. Pound Breach
Rescue, Attempt at
Tutal
Between Maories and European.
CRIMINAL CASES.
In which Muories
la which European were
In which Maories only
In which European only!
were
concerned.
were concerned.
Defendants.
ware Defendants.
::::::::::
:::::::::::::
:::::::::::::
::::::::::
::::
::::
:::::::
::::::::
Committed for
Trial.
Dismissed.
Total betweou
Convictious. Maories.
Tried for
Dismissed.
:::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::
:::::::
:::::::::::::
Settled out of
Court.
Cutal between
Europeans.
Gross Total of Criminal and Civi
Total Cases foreach Offence.
Casor
HORITY IN-
25/
S
1
3
2
5
43 3 14
9 71 77
Between Maories and Europeans.
In which Europeans were
In which Maories were
Complainants.
છં
April 26, 1849.
05
Complainants,
CIVIL CASES.
In which Maories only were
concerned.
In which Europeans only were
concerned.
Amount sued for.
Total Cases_between
Maories & Europeans |
Complainant.
Verdict for
Veruict for
Delandsut.
Settled out
Court
4 3 14
8
1
•
Total.
-
Amount sued for.
Complainant. Venliet for
<?
out of
Summuns could
not be served.
Total.
Verdict for
Sendant.
3
Amount sued for.
Tolai Civil Cases.
77
90
37
37
81 426 6 5 90
£137 19 84
LG7.
Total Amount sued for
Total Number of Cases disposed of
(Signed)
HK RY ST. IIILL, Resident Magistrate.
NEW ZEALAND.