The Star has been led into an error in refer ence to the Chinese petition and Mr Macassey, and has explained the error in its leading columns. It accepted a private version of the petition. We some time ago published the authorised translation of the petition, which was in itself bad enough. The Church of England building was not, after all, raffled away. By some inscrutable decree the ticket that represented the winning number remained unsold. The book containing it was forwarded to Southland, but though the next number was sold, this one was not.
The appointment of J.P's by the Govern ment does not facilitate public business much. In fact, the gentlemen in the Commission of Her Majesty's Peace are more noted for their antipathy to take a seat on the bench than their appearance on it. Tliey grace the Court with their presence, but their modesty docs not allow them to till the Magisterial chair. T!ie honor, therefore, appears to be covetted; the duties and responsibilities shirked. The subject is worthy of attention at the hands of the Govern ment, so that Her Majesty's Commissioners may render some account of their labors. The Court of Petty Sessions has failed because at tendance of J. P's was not made compulsory.
