Page 512

The Wiseonsm Lumberman.
cal matters that might arise in the
course of such cases. Those who have
had any experience in our law courts
must have frequently witnessed trials
in which the professional evidence on
either side being diametrically oppos-
ed had the effect of creating the ut-
most confusion in the minds of the
judge and jury. Such instances are
far from rare, and throw,'discredit
upon the administr.Mcdfs of justice.
Fortunately,.dhe necessity of intro-
ducing some improvements in the
administration of the laws affecting
commercial interests has at last been
recognized by Parliament. In the
new Judicature Act, which comes into
operation in November next, it is en-
acted that "the high court or the
l~ Pcourt of appeal may also, in any such
cause or matter as aforesaid in which
it may think it expedient so to do,
call in the aid of one or more asses-
sors."  As a complement to the
House of Lords, "to amend the acts
relating to county courts." By the
third section of this bill it is provid-
ed that "in any action it shall be law-
ful for the Judge, if he think fit, to
summon to his assistance, in such
manner as may be prescribed, one or
>'ail      more persons of skill and experience
in the matter to which the action re-
latcs, who may be willing to sit with
the judge and act as assessors; and
their remuneration for so acting shall
be at such rate as may be prescribed,
and shall be costs in the cause, unless
otherwise ordered by the Judge."
This being a government measure
there is every prospect that it will be
adopted by the House of Commons.
We do not consider these enactments
sufficiently comprehensive to meet
the requirements of the commercial
community, and the optional powers
conferred upon the Judges may re-
strict the limits of their usefulness at
least for some time to come. It is
much, however, to have obtained the
acceptance of the principle by the
Legislature, and as these acts come
;        gradually into operation, it may safe-
ly be assumed that the advantages to
be derived from them will be so ap-
parent as to prove the policy of ex-
tending their application. Since legis-
lation on social questions is the order
of the day, let us hope that commer-
cial interests will receive a fair share
of the attention of those in power; to
few will be more welcome than to
those engaged in the numerous in-
dustries connected with the home and
foreign trade in timber.
THE LUMBER MARKET.
Why is the lumber market dull?
This is a question difficult to answer,
but which it seems to us must be an-
swered on general principles. A
prosperous lumber trade is chiefly
dependent on a prosperous condition
of the country generally. If manu-
facturing in any respect is to suffer
it must suffer in the lumber depart,
ment. Lumber is not absoluted es-
sential in the carrying on of all busi-
ness. It is quite largely in the
nature of a luxury or something
which can be dispensed with. Public
and private improvements, which can
only be carried forward in prosperous
times, are allowed to come to a stand-
still in dull times, and in such im-
provements lumber enters largely.
But we do not admit that there is a
condition of suffering among dealers
or manufacturers who have calculated
on a good fair season. Purchases
were made during the early part of
the season to an extent comparing
favorably with other years.
And on the whole we expect from
past experience and present indica-
tions that the trade in the fall will be
fairly active and satisfactory.-Lum-
berman's Gazette.
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