THE LIBERTY OF THE SUBJECT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 708, 20 August 1859, Page 5

THE LIBERTY OF THE SUBJECT.

To Hit' Uditor^of'ike Lyttelton Times. Sis, —We, as Englishmen, are" in the habit of railing against the despotism of. Russia and France; but has it not occurred to you, Sir, that on a petty scale our authorities are exercising the same thing here, and this under .free Brisish institutions? I have headed this letter I'The Liberty of the Subject,' and think I am.justified in so doing.' let the following case testify :—Mr. ! Frie'Slan'], I am not sure as to the spelling of his name) was engaged as a drover to deliver sheep across the Waitaugi; but, from unforeseen circumstances, or it may be from his own negligence—take it either way—the sheep, while pasturing; on the south banks of the Waimakariri, were examined by the inspector and found to be'diseased. ' , Is it riot very'likely that those sheep, if they were diseased, beenme so by passing through flocks some o£ which had formerly been reported to be in the same condition ? Now, Sir, I ask you what right has any official to place Mr.; FreeUnd or Friedltmd in durance vile for three or four months, mixing with convicts and maniacs, and the dregs of society, simply because, as every one knows, that the poor man has not sufficient; funds to meet the fine? ,Is. this justice? ; ' ' ' Yours truly, - ; ■■■.■■■;■ A LOOKER ON.