A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1035, 30 August 1883, Page 2

A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE.

[from our parliamentary correspondent. ] Wellington, To-day. In the House of Representatives yes'erday afternoon Mr Macandrew, without notice, asked the Minister of Justice whether the Government proposed to pay any pecuniary solatium to Angelique Therasse, on account of her having suffered wrongful imprisonment. Mr Oonolly replied that he must ask Mr Macandrew to give notice of this question in the usual manner. In connection with the same case, Mr Joyce asked the Government if it was true that Angelique Therasse had been released from custody, as stated in the papers. In doing so he alluded to the character of the evidence on which the woman in question had been convicted, and said that judging from the newspaper repor.s of the case, that evidence was such as would scarcely justify a magistrate in convicting her.

Mr Oonolly had no objection to answer Mr Joyce’s question, and it was a fact that the woman had been released from prison. She was liberated on Sunday afternoon, and the Way it came about was this :—When the matter was referred to in ihe House by Mr Hutchison on Friday, he (Mr Hutchison) knew nothing of this matter of his own knowledge. Subsequently he (Mr Oonolly) saw in that day’s Evening Post a letter purporting to be signed by MrFitzherbert, the solicitor who appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on her behalf He immediately wrote a private note to Mr Fiizherbart requesting that gentleman to see him as early as possible on the subject. Mr Fltzherbert called upon him the following morning (Saturday), and he then asked him why, instead of writing to the Evening Post, he did not write to the Department. Mr Fitzherbert replied, “ I did not like to come to you, because 1 know you are so busy.” He (Mr Oonolly) then asked, “ What is a Minister for except to be troubled ?” (Laughter.) It was then represented to him that ihe cloak whiohj the woman had been accused of stealing in Wellington had actually been purchased by her at Christchurch, together with two pieces of cloth, and the name of the shop in Christchurch from which the cloak had been bought, as well as the name of the person who sold it her, were given. He at once telegraphed to' the shop mentioned to ascertain the truth of these statements An answer came back that no such transaction had taken place at the shop communicated with, but it might have taken place at a certain other shop in Christchurch where a saleswoman was employed of the name that had been given. The shop referred to was then commun cated with by telegram, and the answer arrived just as he (the Minister) was on his way to church on Sunday morning. That answer fully confirmed th 3 statements made by Angelique Therasse, and as soon as church was over ho went up to the gaol and had her released, a formal free pardon being prepared on the following morning. In conclusion, Mr Oonolly said that very considerable blame attached to Mr Fitz Herbert for not having come to him early and that gentleman was really responsible for the prisoner having been detained an hour longer than was necessary. Mr Joyce : How about the Magistrate ? (Hear. hear). Mr Conolly said he had requested Mr Fitzherbert to put into writing his version of what took place, in order that the Magistrate might be called upon if necessary to furnish to the Government his report of the case. (Hear, hear). Mr Macandrev subsequently gave formal notice of his intention to ask the Government whether they proposed to pay any pecuniary solatium to Angelique Therasse for the wrong she had undergone.