AN EXTRAORDINARY JUDGMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 January 1880, Page 2

AN EXTRAORDINARY JUDGMENT.

To the Editor. Sir, —ln your issue of yesterday there appeared a sub-leader, and a letter signed “ Inqusitive Reader,” both attacking Mr. Guinness for delivering a judgment he never delivered. It is remarkable that a letter appeared the same day in the “Mail,” also attacking him. No doubt the author or authors is or are the same who “ coimnunicated ” two paragraphs to the same journals on the 15th instant attacking Mr. Hurrel. The Resident Magistrate and his clerk, being Government officers, cannot reply to these attacks, and I scarcely think that any of your readers expect any notice to be taken of all this blank cartridge. If, Mr. Guinness did make mistakes he would do no more than every judge, aye and every Court occasionally does, but I venture to say that there is not a magistrate in the colony who is more painstaking or more free from mistakes than Mr. Guinness. When he does make a mistake it is most satisfactory to feel assured that the mistake is an honest one, and to know full well that he is far above the reach of any corrupt influences, whether they take the shape of intimidation or bribery in their various shapes and guises. In your sub-leader you attribute a decision to Mr. Guinness which he clearly and unmistakeably denied having given, and that on the ipse dixit of a solicitor, and you publish a judgment which is garbled and entirely different from, the written judgment of Mr. Guinness, which is luckily in Court to be seen, and which is eminently clear and satisfactory. I would suggest that you procure a copy and publish it in justice to our respected Resident Magistrate.—Yours, &c., Justice. January 23rd, 1880.