NEW SOUTH WALES. 53 



The Civil Court consists of the Judge Ad- 

 vocate and two inhabitants of the settlement, 

 appointed by the Governor, which Court hears 

 and decides all pleas of lands, houses, debts, 

 and contracts, and all personal pleas, with 

 power to summon the parties*, to examine such 

 complaint by witnesses on oath, and issue exe- 

 cution under the hand of the Judge Advocate, 

 and any body aggrieved may appeal to the.Go- 

 vernor, and if the amount exceeds 3001. to the 

 King himself in Council. This Cou rt has likewise 

 a power to grant probates of wills and administra- 

 tion of personal estates acquired in the country. 



The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and 

 Judge Advocate are constituted Justices of the 

 Peace, and the Governor is empowered to make 

 such other persons Justices of the Peace as he 

 may think proper. 



Augustus Alt, Esq. Surveyor General, was 

 the first sworn into this office, to sit with the 

 Judge Advocate and determine on, and punish 

 such causes as were of two little importance to 

 bring before a Criminal Court. 



Besides the other powers of the Governor, he 

 was Vice- Admiral of the territory, and could as- 

 semble Courts Martial, and confirm and set 

 aside sentences. Capt. Collins, the Judge Ad- 

 vocate to the Settlement, had also a warrant 

 giving him the same important office to the 

 marine detachment. 



The Lieutenant Governor is Judge of the 

 Vice- Admiralty Court, for the trial of offences 

 committed on the High Seas. 



