The appointment of Justices of the Peace constituted the first attempt at year round governance on this island. It provided a form in which personal and, increasingly, commercial disputes could be arbitrated when the Governor and his surrogates were absent in the winter months…During the summer of 2002, the people of Placentia celebrated the 100th anniversary of the building of the present courthouse in Placentia. It was then the oldest wooden building in Newfoundland still in full time use as a courthouse. It replaced the courthouse that had been built in 1774. Illustrations throughout.