Volume 28: James Macarthur letters received, 1857-1861

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down the depositions in first days, and preparing the Returns the whole of the Clerks work here is performed by myself – I make out and sign every Summons and Subpoena – with not every affidavit – and conduct the whole of the correspondence – Of course Mr Martin would do it if I did not – but when parties came to him for Summonses

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I cannot send them away and let them to wait till the Court day or go to Camden to Mr Martin – and so I do the work myself – I have also for the last six or seven years done the whole of the duties of a Police Magistrate.

Every morning nearly I have some parties brought up before me – I receive all the reports from the District Constable

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every morning - and give orders for the day - For the last four years I have only missed attending Court one day and that was when my arm was broken – the business then got into such confusion and arrears that the next court day – although hardly able to move I went to the Police Office and had to sit so late that I caught cold which

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laid me up for a fortnight.

Now I am still quite willing to lend any assistance in my power to the Government, and to devote a great return of my time to public duties – but if I do the work of the Police Magistrate – I think I should in fairness get the appointment of one if there is a vacancy in the District, and if one should be appointed resident at Camden

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I should still have the same work then that I have now – The residents here have frequently expressed great dissatisfaction that the whole police force is stationed at Camden – and should a Police Magistrate be placed there too they would feel it still more.

I could if appointed still perform all the duties of Commissioner of Crown Lands