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Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 584, 23 November 1871, Page 2

TaUIIAJN tG-A.—CIIAEGE OP RAPE. Mb. JaMES Maciiae, publican, of To N gae Rotorua, was charged bhi-J morning (November 13) before Mr. Olai'kfi. ii.AI, with committing rape on t.ho person ol :i young giil in his Bervice, aged 12 yvaW:. Maer.ie i-i a married mni. Your represonlutivo vvna duly in attendance before the opening of the Court, and was informed by the clerk that Hie enquiry was to bo prosecuted with closod doors. It was mildly surest od by the latter that the repreBijnfcttliveß of the Press were always admitted, even in the most private enquiry, but the answer was a most decided uegativo. I have attended many O'Hi td of Enquiry in my capacity as ft Pr.'ss hand, even when the subject ol' the oiiqwiry wn-i a dolidito one, and have never been before refused. AH English Courts, except military, tribunals, are open to the Trees'. Even private executions Ait'hui tho craol, and the inquests following, are invariably witnessed by reporters from the/various newspapers. It is obviou.i fcliufc the Star Glmtnber svateru, if rcvi/ed, will fitld to enormous abuses. Supposing fche'acouaed i>er i on to be really innoi'ent of the charge he might, in the absence of the public or their representatives (tho Press), be subjected to a sentence ol imprisonment and Hie woild be no wiser till he had served his term of so-cullod punishment; while, on tho other bund, if he were guilty, he might, through the favour of his judges, escape, and the public know nothing of the evidenco on which he wus acquitted! la either cane such a practice is a gross abuse, and based on ignorance of English law and practice.— [" Jfferald'a" Correspondent.]