Gundagai Court 17 February 1849 The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser

From our own correspondent.

The weather still continues the same as when I last wrote; a shower of rain would be a luxury.

On Wednesday last, - Smith, Esq., of Mingay, took the oaths and seat as Magistrate.

R. P. Jenkins, Esq., J.P., swore him in by commission.

The persons who were fined by the Bench on the information of the Government some time since, and ordered to remove in fourteen days from the Crown Lands they occupied without purchase, have had their fines returned by order of the Crown, and permission granted to them to return and reconstruct their huts, at least the two who complied with the decision of the Bench by taking their places down; the third party, holding a wine and beer license, would not, and was forcibly dispossessed in due form by the Commissioner of the District, the Chief Constable, and his assistants under arms.

After all this parade, sixteen days afterwards, the fines were returned, and the persons are told they can again take possession.

We therefore hope to hear no more at Gundagai of the 9th and 10th Victoria, and the unlawfulness of occupying waste lands of the Crown.

During the past week three cases from Wagga Wagga were entertained by our Bench, and several summonses were granted to parties in that neighbourhood.

It came out there was neither Magistrate nor Clerk there, nor had there been for some time; there has not been a resident clerk there these six months, and the last that was appointed still resides at Gundagai.

Truly this Bench of Wagga Wagga is a bye word of scorn and contempt.

We have heard of a per son coming a hundred and fifty miles twice, but could see neither magistrate or clerk; we trust some Member of Council will inquire into the utility of this Bench, and if it is, as we hear, of no accommodation or benefit to the public, it should be broken up, and the country saved £400 a year.