A STUDY IN LEGAL ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDS SHARON ...

never renumbered and they occur in the expected order.
Three judges' notebooks complement the records of Court of Queen's
Bench, Equity. The notebooks span the years 1877-80 and 1891 -92, and thus
reflect the earlier and later periods of Equity's functioning. Two of the three
notebooks have the added advantage of having been written in a fine
penmanship that renders reading the books a pieasure. Notes pertaining to a
case may include style of cause, date of hearîng, chronological facts of the case,
reasoning. decision, and a direction as to which party is to pay the costs.
Chief Justice E.B. Wood and Justice J. Dubuc penned their reasonings in
Judgments 3 and Judgments 4 (1 877-79 and 187940). (Spine titles also
include "Minute Book," but this can be disregarded.) Both volumes served to
record decisions for County Court Selkirk, Queen's Bench, Queen's Bench
Chambers, Queen's Bench Equity, and Appeals cases." There are six Equity
suits in the two volumes; three of them relate to Métis infants' lands.
Reasonings for al1 the cases are thorough and detailed. This is especially tnie
in relation to the lands actions.
The later period of equitable reasoning is seen in No.6 General, Mr.
Justice Bain. 29" January 189 1 to 19" January 1892- This volume was used to
record decisions for QueenJs Bench Chambers, Queen's Bench Equity, Appeals,
and Portage Assizes. It is indexed by style of cause and includes several Equity
suits, though these are not identified in the index. Notes in this volume resemble
minutes of proceedings and may include style of cause, date of hearing,