JUSTICES' JUSTICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1723, 2 June 1886, Page 2

JUSTICES' JUSTICE.

(TO THE EDITOR iiAILY STANDARD.) Sik, — I am surprised that no comunenfc lias been made m the press on the sentence passed by the Bench of Magistrates on Kathenne Beckleben for alleged larceny. The two justices sat as a Besident Magistrate, and if there was any doubt whatever m their minds as to the guilt ot the accused, she should most certainly have had the benefit of it. Their action to my mind is utterly incoinprehensiole. One J.P. firmly believed m her innocence, while the other was satisfied of her guilt. If guilty, she should have had a month, at least ; but instead she is convicted, publicly branded (perhaps innocently) as a thief, and she is sentenced to twenty four hour's imprisonment. Now, Sir, what can yon understand by such a sentence ? I say nothing as to the merits of the case. She may have been guilty for all 1 know. But I say that if there was a doubt, and Mr Mowlera, (I think it was he) said he believed she was quite guiltless, she should have been discharged Again, if she was guilty, what a chsproportimate sentence. Twenty-four hours for a charge of larceny 1 Sarely this is * premium to others to po and. do likewise. 1 cannot conceive on what possible reasoning the justices acted as they did,' nor do i think that the aboye case will tend to eleyate the great unpaid m public opinion or diminish the existing prejudice against "Justices' justice." — I am, &c, Justice. Ashurst, May 29.