TARDY JUSTICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2213, 17 October 1907, Page 2

TARDY JUSTICE.

[To the Editor.]'

Sir.—A somewhat remarkable thing happened within the last few days. A very old and widely respected resident of the Bay . has recently been convicted by Justices of the theft of a £1 note. Upon an application for a re-hearing of the case the matter was referred to the Stipendiary Magistrate for decision. AA’ith apparently considerable reluctance, His Worship finally dismissed the charge remarking there “was a doubt” whether tho accused (Baird) really committed In* offence he was charged with. To-day we learn that a Air H. G. Tucker knew all along the whole circumstances attending the' alleged theft and yet until Baird was finally acquitted yesterday refrained from mentioning what he knew would have completely exonerated the accused. AYe. have an instance here of a man arraigned on a false charge, imprisoned and then convicted upon it. He applies fora rehearing of his case; the unsupported evidence of a child is the only evidence adduced, and aftgr (as I have said) the Ala gist rate has grudgingly dismissed tho case, additional evidence, showing the full ■ circumstances, has been brought forward. Surely Air. Tucker might have come forward sooner. Air Baird may consider himself lucky in some respects. His conviction was reversed upon rehearing and now we all know absolutely , as believed before that, he was all along innocent of the charge imputed to him. Air. Rees is much to be congratulated upon the successful as well as masterly stand ho took on behalf of a much maligned subject of His Alaiesty the King.—l am, etc.,

J. GODFREY. Gisborne. October. 15.