THE IMPRISONMENT OF MR RICHARDSON.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 696, 16 December 1902, Page 2

THE IMPRISONMENT OF MR RICHARDSON.

Mr K, Haro, of Auckland, writing t( the New Zealand Herald, says :—lt mus; be painful to the feelings of every trut .Britisher that Mr Richardson, the well known and jpopular temperance lecturer should to-day he classified and breaking stones with felons in Mount Eden Gaol My duty led me in the direction of the gaol, and I hoped from a personal interview with Mr JClayton, J.E., I might succeed through the kindness of the gaoler to have a few words with our friend. This priviledge, however, was denied me, as it was contrary to rule, I was permitted, however, to got so near that I saw the old gentleman working with hammer in hand and attired in similar garb to that of 50 others. I was so near that on recognition | he lifted his hand with a brotherly salute.

The citizens oi Auckland need not wonder any longer as to his situation, and all this because ho [asked a question in a public meeting for the public good. A feeling of indignation runs high in the breast of friend and foe, that an injustice has been wrought, for when the whole is scanned who would not protest against the decision of the Bench in this matter. Mr Seddon wires the following :—“ The law is no respcctor of persons, and Mr Richardson should pay the fine imposed, which, I understand, i= only a small sum. It is sometime ago since the Court order was made, and he can only he released on petition to Ilis Excellency the Governor, or on payment of the fine. Compliance ! with the law is neither injustice nor persecution, and those entrusted with the enforcement should do so fearlessly and impartially.—lf. J, Skodonv 1 Xow if the order in Court was made out some weeks

ago, why were legal proceedings deferred till after the election ? The law, .Mr Seddon'says, should be administered impartially. Every true Britisher must feel ashamed who is cognisant of the persecuting power that aims at destroying British liberty and freedom of speech in public places. j Writing on the same subject Mr Charles 11. Pearson says : —V hilst passing down Boston Road one afternoon I was confronted with a sight which not onlyshocked but caused me extreme pain. Indeed, righteous indignation spontaneously sprang within my breast, and I determined at once to write asking for a short space in your paper to express my disgust at the heartless way in which Mr Piichardson is now being treated at Mount Eden. It was truly a sad sight to see the old gentleman of 60 years suffering greatly as was very-

obvious, whilst he removed large lumps o'f stone. What galls me as an Englishman is the fact that the inhuman treatment should be indicted for no other reason than exercising the right of free speech. It so happened, that as I gazed upon the scene the “ leave-off” bell rang, and I observed the manly way he had performed his onerous duties up to the last moment, with his wonted characteristic faithfulness. As he walked through the portals to his lonely cell, it reminded me hoy/ the martyrs in the olden days must have walked through similar doors into the arena, Surely, one wonders if we are i living under the British fla?. I