Original Eorrespondence.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 106, 4 May 1864, Page 6

Original Eorrespondence.

%* Our columns being impartially open, we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinion* of our correspondents. To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. Sir,—l have noticed with some surprise that none of the papers but your own have published the case of * M'Tavish v. Lynch." The Daily Times reporter attended daily throughout the trial, though the Races were on. Perhaps the fact that the plaintiff occupies the high position of inspector of the Union Bank goldfields agencies, while the defendant was simply a non-com-missioned officer of the police force, has some?thing to do with the matter; but, be that as it may, the public are indebted to you for the independence you exhibited in impartially reporting the case. I think Sergeant Lynch showed a noble spirit when he met this inquiry at his own expense. He might have pleaded in honor, and in accordance with the regulations of the police force—a rule to the effect that a delay of six months bars all subject of complaint. He did not do so, but, at a ruinous cost, vindicated that noble assertion that the laws of England were alike made for the rich and the poor. It was but the other day we read of Lord Palmerston being loudly cheered for having defeated a base attempt to sully his name. In another sense, Sergeant Lynch equally deserves the approbation and hearty support of the public for having put down an attempt to establish a despotism of social rank. The report is a most fair one, and as an old officer of the force, I can truly understand how the sergeant conducted himself; and am sure had I been there myself I should not have shown so much forbearance. I should not have made these remarks, but that I think it is well the community should thoroughly appreciate the full extent of the services rendered by Sergeant Lynch, and yourself, in reporting the case. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obodient servant, H. W. Bracken.

THE WAKATIP DISTRICT HOSPITAL. To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. Sir, —I have perused the letter in your issue of the 30th inst., signed "H. M. Croft," and I am not astonished at the arrogant and illogical reply. There is scarcely a statement in it which could not be refuted; in fact, Sir, it is no answer to my letter, but as this would-be philanthropic gentleman has departed, and as I have done my duty in bringing the subject of my letter before the public, I willingly leave the matter for their impartial consideration. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E. Peosser.

THE PUBLIC V. THE VAGRANT ACT. To the Editor of the Lake Mail. Sib, —I wish to mtke some remarks relar tive to a case in which I was charged with vagrancy, at the Polics Court, on Saturday morning last. I have ever borne a high character since I have been in the colonies, and also in the mother country ; and am well respected and esteemed by all who know me in this town. I was arrested on Friday night at about halfpast 10, and locked up all night by Detective Lambert, who gave me no reason for this strange freak of authority, and who must evidently have been short of something to do, and seized on an innocent and well-known man. When asked civilly to permit me to call on a friend to let him know that I was going to be locked up for the / night, he refused to do so, and laid hold of me by the collar, as if I had been one of the greatest reprobates in the country. In reference to the charge of vagrancy, he spoke of me as always being in a billiard-room. It is utterly false. I had been employed to put a cloth on Mr. Bracken's table, and had been in the room on three or four occasions. He also spoke of my being a good billiard player. It is part of my occupation as a repairer of billiard tables. I have been employed as a marker at first-class saloons since I arrived in this colony, and always received a first-class salary. He also stated he had apprehended me in 1857 on a charge of stealing a watch. I was at that time in England, so that was a false assertion, and made to back up a trumpery charge. The magistrate at once dismissed the case. I should like to know where actions like this are to end, and what security can the subject expect to receive ? I have not means to commence a suit against Detective Lambert, even if I thought he had means to pay damages for false imprisonment; and I cannot afford the time to wait and pray for an enquiry at the hands of the authorities. Left without redress from these { sources, I claim the support of the Pressalways accorded to the injured. My character is so well known here that I have no hesitation in making this matter more public, and feel, rather than shame in doing this, that I am doing a service to the public, and probably checking a tyrannical abuse of power in the end. I refer you to the following gentlemen:—Mr. M. Fleming, Mr. D. Powell, Mr. H. W. Bracken Mr. Malaghan, Mr. J. M. Ryan, Mr. Comiskey, Mr. Cassius, Mr. Manders. I am, &c, William Henry Quelch.

+ " I hate to hear people talk behind one's back/' as the man said when he heard the policeman call out after him " Stop thief."