Image TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage Tile
Image size: 6656x8704 Scale: 35% - PanoJS3
Page overview thumbnail

Article text

THE LORMER BOARD’S REPORT.
MELBOURNE, Monday.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT,)
The report of the Lormer Board has created
quite a sensation in the city, and the general
opinion seems to be that it is in accordance
with the ovidence adduced. The Cabinet will
meet to-morrow to consider the report, and it
is thought certain that the names of Messrs
Bapiport, Baxter, and Bird will be expunged
from the list of honorary magistrates. There
is some doubt, however, as to the action the
Government is likely to take in dealing with
the remedial measures suggested by the board.
The Premier does not care to take the
responsibility of calling in all the com
missions of justices of the peace, and
it is probable that initiative action will
be left to the Mr W. J.
Lormer is naturally pleased with the report,
ns it confirms his allegations. As to the
reference in the report to his bias through
being a teetotaller, he states that he felt all
along that he could sit on the bench, and do
thorough and impartial justice in any liquor
trade case. He points ont that if teetotal
justices are precluded from adjudicating on
Buch case3 it is only natural that the other side
should also be precluded from sitting on the
bench in such cases. If teetotallers had a bias
all those connected with the trade—hotel
owners, brewers, and others —had a bias on
the other side, with a strong monetary in
terest as well.
Reflections on Ballarat Justices.
Local justices of the peace naturally resent
keenly the allusions of the Enquiry Board to
justices in this city. Referring to the “ evils
in connection with the administration of jus
tice,” montioned in the report, the board
says:—“ In Melbourne and the suburbs of
Melbourne it is evident that they prevail to a
great extent, and it i3 not improbable (though
wo have no evidence of the fact) that they may
also prevail to a not inconsiderable extent in
the largo cities of Victoria, such a3 Bendigo
and Ballarat.” The honorary magistrates of
this city will probably moet shortly tu consider
and protest against aspersions upon them
made, admittedly, with “ no evidence.”
$