AN AMBITIOUS SQUIRE Perhaps the magistrate most regular in his attendance at a certain country Petty Sessional Court is young Squire Marthorne.

Those who have had business to transact at such Courts know the difficulty that often arises from the absence of a second magistrate, there being a numerous class of cases with which one justice of the peace is not permitted to deal.

There must be two, and it sometimes happens that only one is forthcoming.

The procedure adopted varies much in different divisions, according to the population and the percentage of charges brought up.

Usually a particular day is appointed when it is understood that a full bench will be present, but it not unfrequently happens that another and less formal meeting has to be held, at which the attendance is uncertain.