FEILDING MAGISTRATE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 10, 9 December 1926, Page 8

FEILDING MAGISTRATE

FAREWELL TO MR WATSON. TRIBUTES FROM JUSTICES AND BAR. [Special, to “Standard.”] FEILDING, Dec. 9. At the Feilding Magistrate’s Court this morning, Mr 11. M. Watson, .S.M., took the opportunity of meeting the members of the Bar, Justices of tile Peace, the police and the Press and to express Ins appreciation of tho kindly and courteous consideration ho had always received during bis 5£ years’ term of office in Feilding. The justices, he said, had always discharged their ancient and honourable office willingly and with a true sense of duty, and tho Bar also had always met him in all matters pertaining to his magisterial duties in a courteous spirit. It must bo remembered, Mr Watson said, that, when a magistrate is giving his decision, it is only possible to give it one way, although there_ are times when he would like to give it both ways. He was glad to be able to say, though, that, when'liis decisions were given in Feilding, they were taken in a sporting spirit by tile members of the Bar. To tho police, also, Mr Watson desired to express his appreciation fpr the services they had rendered to him. Referring to Mr Whitaker, clerk of tho court, the magistrate said ho desired to place on record his deep appreciation of the faithful and conscientious attention to all matters of business pertaining to tho court that Mr Whitaker had always shown. It had been a pleasure to work with Mr Whitaker, to whom no job had been too large to tackle. To the members of tho Press, Mr Watson also expresseel liis thanks for their couSiderateness of him when reporting his cases. Mr E. Goodbehere, on behalf of the Justices of the Peace, said they could not lot the occasion pass without registering their regret at the loss of Mr Watson. He had been tho resident magistrate of Feilding for 5£ years and had always discharged his duties with commendable fairness. It had been a pleasure to sit on the Licensing Bench with him and in that direction also tho speaker deplored the transfer of Mr* Watson. The reason for the transfer Was hard to understand, but perhaps,, the business of the court in Feilding ’ was falling off. Feilding certainly was becoming a very moral community, but it was strange that such a populous neighbourhood should be deprived of a resident magistrate. It seemed as if Palmerston North was trying to embrace Feilding in closer relations than had prevailed in the past. Mr Goodbehere wished Mr and Mrs Watson every success and happiness in tlieir •new district. On behalf of the local members of the Bar, Mr J. Graham said he would like to 'express liis regret at tho imS ending departure of Mr Watson. 'uring his of years of office in Feilding the relations between the Bench and the Bar had been most cordial and the Bar always felt that their business was conducted with meticulous care. He felt the same as the previous speaker in regard to the change, but hoped that Mr Watson’s transfer was only a stepping stone to his promotion as a city magistrate. However, Mr Graham continued, Feilding was fortunate in its successor, for Mr Stout had conducted the business of tho Feilding Court before and was wtll known and respected in Feilding. Mr Graham also endorsed the remarks of Mr Goodbehere in refertnee to Mr Whitaker in whom the Bar reposed the utmost confidence and who was always ready to assist to the best of his ability. Mr Graham apologistd for the absence of Air J. Power, who is in hospital, but. be had been instructed to express Air Power’s personal appreciation of the unfailing and courteous attention he had always received at Mr Watson’s hands'. Air Graham wished the magistrate au revoir and every success in his new district. -

Sergeant Cahill, on behalf of the local police force, said that he spoke with a full knowledge of the intricacies of the administration of the law, but he could truthfully say that the relations between the Bench, the Bar and the Police had been most cordial. Mr "Watson had always extended to the police the greatest help and advice and he trusted that his future would bring him the success that his attention to duty merited. Replying briefly, Mr Watson said that ho deeply appreciated the remarks of the speakers and keenly regretted leaving Feilding which step had been brought about by a reconstruction of the magisterial districts. He would leavy -feeling that Mr Stout would always receive the same kind attention that had always been given to himself.