CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 700, 17 September 1875, Page 2

CROMWELL.

Ot—fFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) I observe that one of the larrikins has feebly attempted to reply, in the Argus, to my comments upon the recent exhibitions in Cromwell, and has covertly insinuated that two respectable young men holding positions of trust —areincluded amongst the number. I believe these two have been summoned for removing a barrel off the footpath, and the vigilant sergeant should feel obliged to them than otherwise, as it is well known that any obstruction upon the footpath is contrary to law. To say the least it is a very trifling matter to make a case of. There is a material difference between a little harmless amusement and the standing at the street corners uttering the most disgusting terms and the persistent insulting of females, and notably amongst this elms is one who has already paid the penalty for a display o F his larrikin propensities, but who does not seem to have derived any benefit therefrom. As for tho charge of being actuated by personal feeling, I think it too contemptible to warrant notice, ts,

not like the hireling amanuensis the “ One I of them," I should be sorry indeed to bo 1 found associated with such, canaille.; In | every community there are to bo found i creatures who prostitute their brains for the I loathsome purpose of being thought clover i by the larrikins, and who consider they 1 |iave } attain(!d the summit of their ambition : when, in; writing under a noiil de plume, ' thej* gratuitously favor the public with their : “opinion,” their “impressions." If the author of the effusion now under consideration will only sign his proper name, I promise td give him every show, as I am well aware that he is troubled with the cacoe.tha, scribendi, and vainly imagines that ho is a little king. Knowing, as I do, the author, I am content to lot him rest under his selfimposed cognomen, and shall, in common with many others, classify him as “one of the larrikins.” As to the invitation to investigate the subject, it is sufficient to say that the Police have had several complaints lodged already, and that annonyraous letters threatening personal violence to “Your Own ” have been posted and received, and that steps are being taken to bring the author or authors to justice. The past shows that Cromwell was afflicted by the presence of one or two very undesinblo youths, and with the knowledge that a person is not even protected from their violence, should of itself be sufficient to conclusively prove that these genii do infest our city; but these will here, ns elsewhere, ever secure a certain amount of admirers, illustrating the old quotation “ Birds of a feather, flock together.” So much for “One of Them.” On Friday last the Resident Magistrate’s Court was occupied for some time over an information for assault. Mr Johnston appeared for complainant, and Mr Wilson for defendant. Mr Wilson demurred to the information, as it did not allege that it was unlawful, and the intendment was determined by its unlawfulness. An assault in itself was not unlawful. —Mr Johnston thought that under the 25th section of the Justices of the Peace Act 1866, which distinctly made provision to meet sueh objections—an assault necessarily implied an unlawful act, and the mere substitution of that word was surplusage and legal phraseology. -—Mr Wilson would submit that the Court had no power to amend this information, as it would be a substitution of one offence for another.—His Worship : I cannot see that it would be substituting one offence for another.—Mr Wilson: It is singular that in both the Statutes and in the Formulary the word unlawful is used, and I submit that by Johnston, page 31, that the amendment must be at variance between the evidence and the information. The present complaint disclosed no degree of offence, and therefore the Court had not the power it was avanted to exercise.—Mr Johnston would respectfully submit an assault presumptively implied an unlawful act.—His Worship : An information that discloses no fault, it would be unwise on the part of the Bench to create the fault. The information had better be withdrawn, as thero could be no doubt but that the Bench would he straining a point. The information was thin withdrawn.