COURTHOUSE FOR HAMLEY BRIDGE.
From the statements of Sir Jenkin Coles and his colleague (Mr. Young), two of the representatives for Wooroora, Hamley Bridge is sadly in need of a Courthouse.The morals of the district are no worse than those of any other rural quarter, as the figures quoted by the Attorney-General (Hon. W. J. Denny), when replying to a deputation on Wednesday, indicated that the neighbourhood has been particularly free from crime. The existing conditions, however, according to the deputationists, are impossible. For some time it has been the practice to conduct all the Court work in the institute buildings, situated on one side of the town, while the police station is about as far distant as the limitations of the settlement will admit. This involves the officials and justices in a considerable amount of unnecessary work. The Government is paying 5/ per week for the use of the institute for Court purposes, and this amount would go a Iong way towards paying interest on the outlay required in providing the necessary additions to the present police station. It was also shown that the local constable works under serious disadvantages as regards his accommodation. As one of the speakers pointed out, it was all right when they had a single man stationed in the town, but when a married man with five children was transferred to Hamley Bridge the maid he employed had to sleep in the cells. In addition to a Courthouse, the deputation asked that two small retiring rooms for the use of witnesses and justices should be provided, and it was estimated that the whole of the work could be done for £250. Mr. Denny said he would make enquiries into the circumstances of the case. The request seemed reasonable, but it was evident from the figures placed before him that little business was transacted in the Hamley Bridge Court. In 1910 only two actions had been tried there, and this spoke well for the district. The fines inflicted in connection with Police Court matters amounted to only £9, so that the needs of the district could not be serious.
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The Advertiser - Thursday 14 September 1911
COURT CASES AT HAMLEY BRIDGE
Mr. Young said the plans of the additions to Hamley Bridge police-station only provide a room suitable for minor cases, and more important cases would still be held in the local institute at extra cost. Would the Attorney-General enquire whether a larger room could not be built to provide for all cases?
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