QUEENSTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 121, 5 March 1872, Page 6

QUEENSTOWN.

(Front, our own Correspondent.) March 2. Your " o\vn correspondent's" last inild contribution lias been the cause of much comment and excitement here, owing to the case (arising from it) of Richardson v. Shepherd, : in which the defendant, (T. L. Shepherd, M.H.R., &c, who believed the plaintiff to ' be the author of the letter in question,) was charged, under the 4th section of the Vagrancy Act, with using abusive language with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. The case was dismissed, but public opinion was strongly in favour of the plaintiff. For further particulars, I must refer your readers to the very impartial and able report given in the Lake Wakatip Mail. Before leaving this subject, I would call attention to the fact that Mr Shepherd said in his defence, "that the letter was not only insulting to himself, but to a whole religious body." Now, " Your Own" most decidedly would not pen, nor would you insert, any letter, or article, calculated to wound the feelings of any religious body. It was from Mr Macassey's own lips that the report (which is not conlined to Queenstown, but has also appeared in the Dunedin Evening Star, and other Pro-1 vincial papers,) originated,—to the effect that he was strongly supported by Bishop Moran on account of the views entertained by him on the subject of denominational education. Surely the honourable member could not I mean that it was insulting to the church in j question to say "that they would probably' support" a candid Site looked on with favour; by their Bishop, and respected by all his op- \ ponents as a gentleman, and an able member of the legal profession. Messrs Hallenstein and Maeassey have! been busily engaged in addressing the elec-1 tors in various parts of the district. At Arrowtown, Mr Hallenstein was receive I very ! favourably, the motion that he was "a tit and proper person" being carried with I scarcely one dissentient. The result of his ! other meeting? are not to hand. Mr Macassey has lately addressed meetings here, at Skippers, and at Macebowu, at each of which a " vote of thanks for his address " | was carried. However, lie still goes on i bravely, hoping that the ballot-box may prove < him to be thought " a tit and proper person" j to represent the Lakes District. Nothing certain is known of Mr Miller's plan of ope- j rations ; but it is generally supposed he will! resign, with what truth I cannot say. Mr Frank Weston left us on Wednesday, after giving several of his interesting entertainments, and setting forth the merits of the Wizard Oil, which has already effected some astonishing cures in the t wn, Tlie " Star Comiqua" Company are at present here ; but 1 am afraid they have not found their stay in Queenstown profitable ; unless the scenery and fresh air can be considered a recompense for having small houses to witness their very excellent entertainment. Mr Saunders' harp-playing has been of itself a sufficient inducement to attract large audiences ; but the good people of Queenstown are not at present over-burdened with that pleasantest of all swags, "sugar."