he Y, ae ee SECOND FRONT Williams Lake, B.C., Thursday, April 10, 1958 SECOND FRONT System of Appointment of Lay Magistrates Defended in Talk by C.H. Poston A defence of British appointing lay magistrates in the lower courts was made by Stipendiary Magistrate Cecil H. when he spoke to_members of the Kiwanis Club Tuesday. Bach province appoints its own magistrates, the speaker ex- plained, and in some provinces only persons with legal traini: Bre eligible for such appoint- tment. In Saskatchewan, mem- bers of the R.C.M-P. who have served more than five years with the force are ‘also eligible. “YT am not convinced,” the magistrate said, ‘‘ that either is & better system than we have in British Columbia." On the subject of appoint- . Mr. Poston said it was opinion. that a perfect magistrate would be a person with # reasonable knowledge of criminal law; a keen’sense of an understanding of u 4 common sense (characterized by sound practi- eal experience); possessing un- questioned “high ‘character; and lastly, constantly keeping in amind- that, within his own jurisdiction, he bias absolute and paramount -anthority. IN ALL WALES OF LIFE “Needless to say,” he went on, “this kind of man is not -easily found, and certainly, they ‘sre not confined to any: particu- lar profession or group. They gre to be found in all walks of life and their judgements will be moré likely given on a basis of Columbia’s system of Poston, morning. Monday family court cases are plain good sense and a know-|nd juvenile court cases ledge of human nature, and less kupon legal technicalities.” Besides being a police court magistrate, Mr. Poston said he is also a judge of the family court, the juvenile court, the small debts court and also acts as coroner. Reason for the multiplicity of appointments is that, only a few years ago, there was very little crime in this area and conse- quently not a great deal of work for a magistrate to do. The work has grown out of convenient to the Small debts «court Friday afternoons. court, Magistrate Poston cellent officer, voluntary Harold MeKay. unobtrusive way. NO JUVENILE PROBLEM all in his favor, as it had given him time to gradually grasp sufficient knowledge of court procedure, some knowledge of criminal law, and to gradually acquire. experience. “7 believe now,” he stated, “T can say I have a working know- ledge of what the law requires, | and then, good and compares with any anywhere. trate, has ‘\old fashioned ond combined with an excep tional’ knowledge of human W8Y- Seer nature, that I can hand my The police court judgements with the feeling that Mghter side too, as N they represent a comparatively high standard of justice.” DAILY DUTIES In giving a run-down on the daily duties of a magistrate, Mr. Poston said he was at his office an incident that happened year. him revoke an each morning at 9:30, and then on to police court half an hour later, usually for the rest of the afternoon heard, heard in his office at any time parents. is held on On the subject of the juvenile dered his thanks to the club for providing the court with an ex- probation The magistrate said he did not There all proportion to what it was|Cemsider we have any then, which the speaker said was| Juvenile problems here. is an odd “delinquent” now but the general be- haviour of our young people is favorably He said he sometimes wondered if the few odd ones inclined to be trouble- ;some, knew that he, as a-magis- ideas .'and prefer to keep out of his Poston pointed out in relating He said an Indian and his wife came to his home one Sat- urday afternoon seeking to have interdiction order that had been placed on both of them some time before. Skyline P-TA Pians Program Of Youth Work Plans for recreational activi- ties for children living outside the town proper occupied the attention of members of the Skyline P-TA at their meeting last week. The group will investigate the set-up of the town school hockey organization to see that out-oi- town children from the Skyline and Glendale areas are given the opportunity next season to play. Members felt that the arrange- ments last yeay literally re- -|sulted in children whose homes McKay, the speaker said, is doing ta real public service in a quiet, were out of town from being barred from playing in the arena. The P-TA will sponsor a Wolf Cub pack.for boys on the south side of the lake.~ Decision was*made to award a trophy for one of the competi- tions in the Central Cariboo Musie Festival. Convenors reported plans for the annual “ white ~ elephant” sale are now complete. The sale will be held’ May 30, and pro- Henderson Rink Wins Central Trophy The Central Service Trophy awarded in the local annual curling championships was won by a rink skipped by Bill Hen- derson, In a 12-ender featuring low scores, Bill’s rink won a sounding victory with a score of 14-3, against opposing finalist Tom Bishop. Rinks were: Bill Henderson, skip; Joe Borkowski, third; Bill Christie, second; Boh Court, lead. Tom Bishop, skip; Bert Hubble, third; Bill Laird, sec- ond; Frank Latin, lead. re_ ceeds are earmarked to pur- chase blackout curtains in the new school room at Skyline. The P-TA has purchased an electric kettle, which was pre- sented to the teachers as an Baster gift. Most - parent-teacher groups have a common Complaint: The fathers are usually very much in the minority at the meetings. That's why it was noteworthy at the Skyline-meeting last week that not only were the fathers out—but they were in the majority. PRICE — 75 Spring Tea and Children’s Fashion Show ADIAN LEGION HALL Wednesday, April 16 TEA FROM 2:30 P.M. TO 5 FASHION SHOW BEGINS 0 P.M. 3:45 P.M. PRICE — According to the annual report of the Cariboo Health Unit, the sprawling district, with only three percent of the provincial the B venereal disease cases ish Columbia. The number in of .eases has shown a steady increase from year to year, despite the work of health officials and private physicians in a continuing pro- gram of case detection. In 1956 there were 565 cases reported and in 1957 this had .risen to 72. Sixty-one percent of the venereal disease cases are found in Prince George, The report states that part of the answer of the steady increase of the problem may be found in the make-up of the popula tion of the area. The average large population, has 15 percent of all | nh age in more is much younger settled areas, and the transient work force, much of which is employed in outlying camps, depends on Prince George for entertain- ment. The provincial jail has also contributed a number of cases. than In looking for an answer to the problem, the report points out that these are several approaches that may help re- duce V.D. incidence. It is sug- gested we could try to provide more diversion in the form of wholesome recreation; we could help to provide occupation for the Indian population; and, as a community, we could work more closely together to provide suitable guidance and protection for our youth. The ALSTON THEATRE Children TWO SHOWS. NIGHTLY admitted second show only when accom- panied by parents to. THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, This Week pe vD incidence Still Matter “ Of Concern to Health Unit High incidence of venereal disease in North Central British Columbia continues to be a matter of concern to public health officials. Sponsored by the Canadian Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary “OS. COASTGUARD RESCUES SIX ON LAKE ERIE They argued that for some time they had “wanted to get their rights back. The magistrate finally told the couple to see him Monday morning at the police office. They did. Both were there on drunk charges and were é es senige Aaeaat cy ANNOUNCING . . . ADELE MARA — = Reo) © ee pee ae Central carbo” —_ Post Harold “Richardson, former ‘director of War Memorial Hospi- -|tal, has tendered his resignation to the board. Mr. Richardson gave 11] health as his reason for relinquishing -|his post, which has one year to $|run. The board has asked Harold McKay to serve as director, re- placing Mr. Richardson. Mr. McKay was nominated for one of two seats vacant at the an- nual meeting in February, but lost out in the election that fol- lowed. There Will Be No Saturday Matinee MUSICAL FESTIVAL Elks Hall Friday and Saturday, April 18-19 Schedule of performances to be announced WEDNESDAY, Next Week . Lhe? REYNOLDS, MONDAY, TUESDAY, ~All betta tittle Mississippi Riverboat Gal who taught a later The Festival is sponsored by the various district P-TA organizations and Married People from 18 to 80 Fee caught these two boats in Lake Erie, stranding five ‘men and a boy for two days. A U.S. coast-guard culter from Erie, Pa., took 11 hours to reach them, another hour to break the ice, and 1% hours to tow them to Port Maitland. The boats had been immobilized 20 feet apart. Why you should oO Reasons own your own home 1. Building is cheaper in the long run than renting. 2. A home of your own is real security. 3. A home is a sound investment. 4. New homes are lighter, brighter, easier to maintain. 5. H. J. Gardner’s Building Supplies can help you with planning and supply you with fine quality materials at low cost. H. J. GARDNER & SONS sissy person who thinks | LIMITED a long way ahead | ‘ There will be a meeting of the {WILLIAMS LAKE UNIT OF THE CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY MONDAY, APRIL 14, at § P.M. in the office of H. LEE SKIPP (Lee Building, First Ave.) Your Building Supply Dealer Phone 23 ALL INTERESTED ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND Jack and ~ | Benny Abbott : ; WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. Home Owned and Operated to “The Hospitality 4:30 to 5 p.m. every Sunday on CKCQ Listen Hour,”