Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, § 29: Records; duty of justices to inspect

Section 29. The justices of the several courts shall inspect the doings of the clerks from time to time, and shall see that the records are made up seasonably and kept in good order; and if the records are left incomplete for more than six consecutive months, such neglect unless caused by illness or casualty shall be adjudged a forfeiture of the bond of the clerk.