Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, AUGUST 29.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 94, 29 August 1871, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, AUGUST 29.

Prosecutions of private individuals oc- H casionally have points of public interest, I and universal importance. Such is the case in the matter of Regina V. Carpenter. We are well aware that when a charge of felony is in course of investigation it is improper for journalists to criticise the evidence, either for or against the accused person. We shall observe the very proper rule laid down by the best authorities in that regard. On the present occasion, however, in the public interests, we have a duty to perform which will hff done all the more effectually by being performed fearlessly. There are occasions when plain speaking is absolutely necessary. This case is one when a use of the vernacular is called for. The Royal Standard Quartz Crushing Company (Registered) has been brought under public notice, in the prosecution above alluded to, in a most prominent, and—we may add—unenviable manner. It is shown, by sworn evidence, that the general management of that corporate body has been most defective. We fully concur in the opinion given by Mr Vincent Pyke, in his remarkably lucid review of the evidence. He said :—“The evi- “ dence of Watson [the working manager] “ and Herbert [a servant of the Royal “ Standard Company] has certainly dis- “ closed a state of affairs in connection “ with the working management of the “ Royal Standard Company’s machinery “ which, I sincei-ely trust, is without a “ parallel, and is of a nature to excite very “ grave alarm in the minds, not only of “ shareholders in the Royal Standard “ Company, but also in the minds of “ public, who send quartz there to be crushed ■< “ It reflects infinite discredit on the VUJI “nesses, and suggests an utter V M “ managerial ability." Knowing, as we do, that the results of “ tAal crushings ” are of incalculable importance to this district, and that an adequate amount of supervision has not been exercised over them in the case under dia-

cussion, we desire to call attention to the fact, in the hope that it may act as a warning to other quartz-crushing Companies, and tend to the general good. In Victoria it is the usual custom with Companies who undertake the very responsible business of crushing quartz for other parties to insist on those parties (or their representatives) to be constantly present, from the time that the quartz is taken to the machine, to the moment when the retorted gold is handed over as the result of the crushing. This proper and safe course do/ ot appear to have been adopted in the instance. At times there was a watch- kept; but, as the Resident Magistrate said, —“The watchers did not watch.” Moreover, the manager of the Company does not appear to have had any clear perception of the extent and gravity of the charge entrusted to him. It may possibly be allowable for a man to be careless about his own goods, chattels, or other property; but it is a very different thing when culpable carelessness, if not criminal negli gence, is shown in dealing with the property of others. And we may justly assert that the injurious influence of the neglect with which the Company is charged is of a most serious character, and jeopardises the present prosperity and future prospects of this district. It matters very little to the general public whether thirty ounces of gold are appropriated by a dishonest servant: but it matters greatly when the virtual permission so to steal gives to the reefs of this district the character of poverty. The Thief is temporarily enriched, —the District is permanently impoverished. The results of “trial crushing s' from the reefs on the Garrick Range are looked for wirh anxiety not only in this immediate neighbourhood, but in Dunedin, Melbourne, and elsewhere; and upon the richness and integrity of those published results depends, very much, the prosperity of this town and district. This being the case, we feel justified in making the foregoing remarks, and express the hope that, if the prosecution of Thomas Carpenter has no other beneficial result, it will bring about a more business-like state of affairs in regard not only to the Royal Standard Company, but in connection with the business of quartz-crushing and its insults in this district generally.