DE BUISSON v. DE BUISSON.

Evening Star, Issue 3528, 13 June 1874, Page 2

DE BUISSON v. DE BUISSON.

lo ttvt\Ed\tor. Sir,—As the report of this case, which was heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court on the 9th last., when the accused was committed for trial, iB calculated to create a very strong public feeling against the prisoner, pray allow me spaoe to make a few remarks. I watched the case on behalf of the accused, having received a„fee, but bo instructions whatever as to the nature of the case 5 - in fact I was not aware that the case was coming on at all, until on my way to the Court-house in another case, .the accused being a Frenchman, and speaking English so imperfectly that I eould not understand him, I think I exeroiaed, under the circumstances, a sound and wise discretiem in declining to cross-examine the urosecutrix in the Residont Magistrate's Court, and reserving the entire defence for the trial befere a jury ; j the result being that the general public, in ignorance of the fact stated, \*ould naturally suppose that the accused had no defence to offer. • 8 CoHrse of yesterday and this morning I have made inquiries and received information which leads me to entertain a very strong conviction that the prisoner is innocent, and will be honorably acquitted ; but his defence, if properly got up, will require money, and he has none, and being in gaol on the charge until his trial, is deprived of the means of making any. 1 have already given advice and taken steps for his defence, which involve monetary expense The citizens of Dunedin lately paid a deserved tribute of respect to a French captain and French officers, and 1 feel certain that they will not allow a poor Frenchman to be doomed to everlasting infamy for want of the means to get up his* defence. If the prisoner is guilty of the orime with which he is accu-ed, hanging would be far too mild a punishment for him ; if he is innocent, let it not be said that he was found guilty because the citizens of Dunedin would not, in the hour of need, hold out the right hand of sympathy and help to him. If any of hia countrymen will take the matter up, I shall motf glAdly p : ut down myn'an|q for LI. length of this letter, " ' ' '" s " Jam, &c, T> a- t ~ Wi». JQHNgTQN, Dunedin, June 11,