228 TRINIDAD. 



purchaser put in possession. The poor victim made application 

 to the governor, and Admiral Elliot, being unable to interfere, 

 generously offered 40 dollars to redeem the property, but with no 

 success. Thus this unfortunate man lost, not only his land, but 

 the amount he had paid, whilst the faulty party profited by the 

 mistake. In this case no one, it may be said, was in fault : it 

 was an error of person, and yet no remedy, it seems, could be 

 provided. 



In conclusion, not only is the property of the tax-payers left 

 unprotected on many occasions, but they have been, and are still, 

 exposed to many acts of injustice : the landowner may be actually 

 spoliated, in consequence of some act perfectly independent of his 

 own agency. Now I say, when justice proves so uncertain in its 

 proceedings and decisions, so utterly powerless to remedy or 

 avenge wrong, all confidence is lost, and respect denied to its 

 authority. The Court of Intendant evidently requires remodelling, 

 and its proceedings ought to be subjected to rules protective of 

 the interests it deals with ; especially as the ignorant and poor 

 are likely to be the sufferers, and not those who are able to protect 

 themselves : and the first step towards a change should be regular 

 and public sittings, instead of the present secrecy preserved in all 

 the proceedings of that court. 



JUDICIAL ESTABLISHMENT. Chief Justice. Chief justice, 

 1,500; puisne judge, 1,000; clerk to judges, 200; 

 messenger, 110 ; allowances, 60 : 2,870. 



Registrar of the Courts. Registrar, 600 ; clerical assistance, 

 430 ; allowances, 70 : 1,100. 



Court of Intendant. Escribano, 300 ; allowances and 

 contingencies, 35 : 335. 



Attorney-General Attorney-General, 800 ; clerical assist- 

 ance, 200 ; allowances, 30 : 1,030. 



The Marshal. In lieu of fees upon criminal processes, 350 : 

 350. 



Petty Civil Court. Commissioner, 200 ; clerical assistance, 

 200 ; allowances, 8 : 408. 



Stipendiary Justices. Stipendiary justice of the western 

 district of the county of St. George, 600; four stipendiary 

 justices at 300 each, and one at 200; five clerks of the 

 peace at 200 a year, one at 150, and an assistant clerk at 

 62 ; allowances, 880 : 4,092. 



