There was an entire absence of the sensational element from this last utterance of Sir Julius Vogel ; but the Statement was a very able one, and, as far as we can see, an honest one, and likely to improve the position of the Ministry in the eyes of the country. Mb Stbati-obd, who is doing duty temporarily in the Besident Magis trate's Court in Wellington during Mr Wardell's leave of absence, suggested the other day that in all cases in which evidence haa to be taken for despatch to other courts, and to be there utilised in the trial of actions, the deposition should be prepared beforehand by the solicitors, and the witness should merely step into the witness box and read his evidence over on oath, so as to save time. A very pretty innovation indeed, and one which in the course of a year might perhaps place an aggre gate of a few hours more at the disposal of an over-worked magis tracy. But there are considerations of another kind which are quite as much worthy of attention as the saving of a little time. It is not a mere obstructive or time- wasting technicality which this Wellington magistrate would i so readily dispose of. He proposes not only a grave departure from the letter : of the existing law, but one which would affect its spirit in an important par ticular. The act under whioh evidence may be taken in a court other than the one in which a suit has arisen and will be decided, provides that such evidence shall be taken in the ordinary manner in open court. The witnesses are to be subjected to examination and, if neces sary, to cross-examination, a course of procedure differing widely, from the pi-e- Iparation of a set affidavit beforehand,

and the mere going into the Witness box to swear to it. If it be advisable to introduce such a change. into tbe present method of administering justice, there is no reason why it should, not be extended to all cases coming before tbje courts. The evidence should all be by affidavit prepared beforehand by the solicitors, " and the witness should merely step into the box and read his evidence over to save time." But the public is not yet quite prepared for such an alteration, and for the. 