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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Stipendiary Magistrate's Court

Stipendiary Magistrate's Court.

Mr. J. C. Martin, the Stipendiary Magistrate, occasionally assisted by Justices of the Peace who are selected by rota, presides over the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court. The position is anything but a sinecure, but Mr. Martin is celebrated for his ability in rapidly focussing the bearings of any cases, whether civil or criminal, which come before him, and his capacity for work is enormous. In addition to the Wellington Court, he also presides over periodical sittings at the Lower Hutt, and as visiting magistrate of the jail, etc., besides other matters of a judicial character. He is recognised as a model magistrate. In minor criminal cases, such as prosecutions by the police, the inspector or sergeant usually conducts the business on behalf of the Crown, but where felony is charged the Crown Prosecutor or a barrister appointed as a substitute, appears. The S.M. Court is a favourite resort for a certain class whose curiosity or want of occupation for the time being, finds relief in the humours and sometimes sorrows of suitors, and the legal profession is generally represented by a member of counsel appearing for clients. Human nature in a variety of phases may be studied daily at the S.M. Court, Wellington. For further information regarding the various courts and their functions the reader is referred to the courts under the Department Section of this work.

Mr. James Crosby Martin, Stipendiary Magistrate for Wellington City, is an Englishman by birth. Mr. J. C. Martin received his earlier education in his native land. In the Colony he attended the Rev. C. Turrell's School at Riccarton, and the Christchurch College. On leaving College he decided to enter the legal profession, and served his articles with Messrs. Hamer and Harper in Christchurch. On the 14th of April, 1881, Mr. Martin was admitted a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, and six months later he joined the well-known firm of Duncan and Cotterill, under the style of Duncan, Cotterill and Martin. Mr. Thomas Smith Duncan, the senior partner of the firm, held the offices of Crown Prosecutor and Revising Barrister, Examiner in Criminal Law, New Zealand University, and Crown Solicitor for many years, and on his death in December, 1883, the duties devolved upon Mr. Martin, who was formally appointed in the following year. While resident in Christchurch he took great interest in boating and volunteering. He was the moving spirit in starting the Christchurch Boating Club, of which he was the first president. His connection with the volunteer movement began by his joining the College Rifles, Cadets, and E Battery. Afterwards he entered the Christchurch E Battery of Artillery, as captain, which position he retained for eight years. In April, 1893, he retired from the firm of Duncan, Cotterill and Martin, and took up his important duties at the Capital.

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Mr. William Pattison James, Clerk of the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, Returning Officer for the city of Wellington Electoral District, Registrar of Poisons in the Provincial District of Wellington, and Clerk of the Licensing Committee, in the City of Wellington, is one of the most popular officers in the service, and not only in Wellington, but wherever his official duties have taken him. His father, the late Mr. Lewis James, was for many years an officer in the customs department, London, an appointment which he relinquished to come to New Zealand in search of health, establishing himself in business in Auckland. The subject of this notice was born in London in 1853, and was educated in Auckland at the High School under Mr. Farquhar McRae, and afterwards at the Collegiate School under Dr. Kidd. In September, 1867, Mr. James entered the service of the Government in the stamp printing department. Early in 1869 he was appointed a clerk in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, where he remained until 1875, when he was sent to Dunedin to relieve the clerk of the District and Magistrate's Courts. Here his popularity was recognised promptly, for on his leaving three months later he was presented with a gold locket by the officers of the Courts, and other proofs were given of the high opinion generally entertained of Mr. James' abilities and assiduity. He then returned to his position in Wellington until 1887, when he was entrusted with the difficult and responsible task of putting into proper order the accounts of the clerk of the Court at Carlyle, that officer having been suspended. For this, on the recommendation of the R.M., Mr. C. A. Wray, Mr. James received a substantial bonus. At the end of the same year the position of clerk of the Police Court at Dunedin became vacant, and the appointment was conferred on Mr. James. On this seemingly permanent severing of his connection with the Wellington Courts, the R.M., the late Mr. J. C. Crawford, on behalf of himself and other officers of the Court, presented Mr. James with a gold pencil case. In the winter of 1879, Mr. James returned to Wellington and accepted the position he now holds. During the interval many additional duties have been imposed upon him with corresponding advantages in the way of remuneration; but the work in his principal departments has so much increased that he has several times been, at his own request, relieved of smaller appointments. Among a number of these may be mentioned those of deputy sheriff and registrar of electors. For some twelve years prior to the lapsing of the office by Act of Parliament in 1891, Mr. James held the position of Marshal of the Admiralty Court. In 1878, Mr. James was married to Miss Lillias Millicent Holmes, daughter of the late Mr. W. H. Holmes, so well-known as the head master of Te Aro School. Their family consists of a girl and two boys, the elder of whom is engaged in the Wellington office of the Union Steamship Company. Mr. and Mrs. James have for many years been prominent members of St. Mark's Church. Mrs. James has rendered valuable assistance in the choir, and Mr. James, who at present occupies the position of parishioner churchwarden, has long been a hard working member of the vestry.

Photo by Mrs. Herrmann. Mr. W. P. James.

Photo by Mrs. Herrmann.
Mr. W. P. James.