MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Kumara Times, Issue 980, 20 November 1879, Page 4

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Mr Baron Huddlestone told the following story at the Flintshire Assizes, where a question of identity arose in a charge of horse-stealing. We always ought to be very careful (his Lordship said) in cases of this kind, because mistakes might be made by the most well-meaning persons. When I was on the Oxford circuit, there was a friend of mine at the Bar who went on a fishing expedition in the Principality. He had a horse with him, and during the day he took it to an inn in the town to bait. Meanwhile he walked down the street quietly, inspecting the shops. He was closely followed by an inspector of police, and all at once he found himself the object of attention at the hands of this official. After walking after him a good way down the town, the officer at last went up to him and scid, “ It’s no use your making any nonsense about it ; you are Flash Bill.” (Great laughter.) The member of the Bar and of the Oxford circuit was horrified, but the police officer said.” Its no use; I know you perfectly well ,” and he pulled out a Police Gazette, in which there was a description which, I am bound to say, fully justified the officer in suspecting him. “ And,” he added, “ there is the very horse you have stolen up at the stable.” Laughter.) And it was with great difficulty he was taken before a magistrate that day. He always mentions the story with very great gratitude to the magistrate, who was induced to leave his dinner—he thought first he had better be remanded fer a few days to get witnesses down, but ultimately did leave his dinner, and he was convinced by the earnestness of the gentleman that the policeman had made a mistake. (Laughter.) The next train brought his friends from the neighborhood, and they satisfied the magistrate that there was a mistake made. To this day this gentleman tells the story. He now holds the dignified position of Deputy Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and he says he has occupied every position in the Court—he has been a juryman, a judge, a witness, and a prisoner. (Laughter.) LEGALITY AT THE LAND TAX. The Wanganui Herald says ; The legality of the Land Tax has been questioned more than once, and unscrupulous candidates for Parliamentary honors have not failed to say that it was more than probable the tax would not be collected. The question of legality was an absurd one to raise, and the members of the Ranghkei Farmers Club received some very wholsome advice from their member on the subject. Major Willis thus writes in acknowledging receipt of certain resolutions : “I regret that the club should have resolved to resist the collection of the Land Tax in the manner they have—viz., by declining to pay it until legal proceedings are taken for the purposes. It seems to me a moat uncalled for waste of money to employ legal advice for such a purpose, for whatever opinions we may hold as to the injustice of the tax as a whole, and the inequitable manner in which it has been assessed, there can be no two opinions as to its legality.” The Club, however, bent on opposing the tax sought a legal opinion, which is here given, the questions and answers being given categorically : 1. Is the Land Tax Act so framed that the Government can, if prosecuting defaulting taxpayers in the courts, obtain such remedies as will legally obtain from from such defendant the tax attempted to be collected ? Yea ; they can distrain, and even sell the land if necessary. 2. Can you suggest anything that would fairly enable a case to be tried in the court that would probably obtain a verdict for the defendant No. 3. Can you suggest any means of legally resisting this tax in either of the courts in this colony, or by appeal to the courts in Great Britain ? No. 4. Will you in general give us your opinion as to the beat course for us to pursue to resist the collection of this tax, either for a lengthened period or altogether ? I can recommend no course for resisting the Act while it remains in force. If the feeling against the Act is general, I can only suggest that steps be taken to obtain its repeal. 5. Is the Act in any way beyond the powers of the General Assembly to pass ? 6. Will it make any difference in the legality of the collection of the tax that the Act sets out the tax shall be collected rn two half-yearly payments ? No. 7. Is there anything in the half yearly collection clause which will prevent the collection of the whole year’s tax at one time ? Assuming that the tax for two halfyears is due when the coll, ction was made, as was the case on the Ist inst., I can see no reason why they should not be collected at the same t me. Ewd. T. Conolly, ... Wellington. After the snub from their member, and the very conclusive legal opinion, the Rangitikei farmers will doubtless cash up.

At Crushing ton, on ] as fc, his Honor Judge Weston was severely bitten in the leg by a dog, and upon his return to ■Keetton found it necessary to cauterise the wound. As the same dog is reported to have bitten several other persons, the police have, we believe, decided to either order the dog to be destroyed or chaiaed up to prevent its doing further mischief of a like kind.