THE EX-J.P.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 35, 31 December 1880, Page 2

THE EX- J.P .

» We notice that Mr Thomas Williams has had the Editor of the Manawatu Times in his Court, and has put him through his facings re the relative ciaima of the Ngatiraukawa and Ngatiapa. In this instance, however, Mr Williams has made a mistake that not unfrequently occurs in Courts which have an existence more real than that of the one he has evolved out of his brillant imagination. The _x tract he p aces at the head of his Court report in Wednesday's Times is from the Maxawatu Herald, not the Times, consequently our Palmerston contemporary must in this instance step out of the box, and we will step in. But no — instead of entering the box, we will send for Mr Williams, the Ex- J. P. " 80, there, Printer's Devil, go bring me that very tall man known amongst men as the Ex- J. P." Euter the Ex- J. P., looking very tall, rather excited, and hastily glancing round, to see the Editor has no bowie knife or fireirons loaded. " Young man, are you the Ex-J.P. ?" "I am." "Now, first of all, why* did you surrender your Commission of the Peace? Your Queen had given you an honorable position as a J.P., to admiuister her laws and to do justice to the downtrodden — and you have given up that position aud put away the chance of doing ri»ht between man and man." The Ex-J.P. begins to look serious. " Young man, the Editor has sent for you. He has often laughed at your humor, and admired your satires upon Churcli dissensions, greedy politicians, and dishonest landjobbers. That-article ou the Churchwarden sitting upon the back of a mutton bird still amuses the Editor. He would like to see your articles published in pamphlet form. They would be better fun than one of Dick beddon's speeches. " The Ex-J. P. begins to smile, and look pleased. " But, young man, your article about Foxton land is not good. It is he kupu kino 7iul. You advise the Editor to 'go home and tell the people of Foxton that they have all got to clear out, make a clean sweep, like Israel cleared out of Egypt, — go with their wives and lii tie ones. The Court will only let them off on one condition : that they commence at once, and so continue, and as speedily as possible "eat up the whole of the Ngatiapa " ' Young man, is that good advice for one who knows the Scriptures as you do ? Would you expect the Press to urge the people of Foxton to cat up the Ngatiapa to secure a good tifcle to their laud 1 Young man, you have mistaken the duty of a Pressman. He would be a monster if he followed your advice. The view of the Editor is this. The people of Foxton have bought thoir lands in good faith from the Government. If a mistake has been made, the Government must rectify it, and pay Ngatiapa compensation for the loss of their rights. The Editor admires your persistence in advocating what you believe to be justice to Ngatiapa, and were he convinced you are right would second your efforts. The matter is one, however, which appears to be very much involved, and it would be well for a petition to be sent to Parliament by Ngatiapa, asking that the matter might be paticufcly enquired iuto aud finally settled during next recess. That is all the Editor has to say to you, but before you go. young man, have a gL.33 of sherry, with the wish that you may have 'A Hapyy New Year. ' " The Ex-J. P. thanks the Editor, drinks his health, and gracefully retires. Exit the Ex-J.P., shown out by the P.D.