The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 84, 7 April 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1873.

The placid way in which the scandalous outrage lately committed at the Church in Waimea West has been passed over, appears to have given rise to a feeling of some surprise and disappointment. The Provincial Government has done its best, and is entitled to the thanks of the community for its promptitude in offering a reward for the conviction of the offender; hut the contrary quality of slackness displayed in following up the traces which would probably lead eventually to his detection, reminds us forcibly how imperfectly the law provides for our protection. The want of determined action manifested in this case gives rise to an uncomfortable feeling that the appliances available amongst us for the punishment and consequent prevention of crime are not altogether satisfactory. If common rumor is to be trusted, it would appear that a number of concurrent facts point to one individual as the culprit. If this report is true, it seems strange that no formal enquiry into the truth or falsehood of these suspicions has as yet been held. One would suppose that ifc would be more satisfactory for all parties — the suspected, if he is innocent, and those who suspect him — that such an enquiry should take place. At all events, it would obviously further the ends of justice by supplying authentic evidence in the place of uncertain rumor. We have heard it said that the suspected person is still left at large because the evidence against bim is not yet conclusive, and that therefore he cannot be apprehended. We are somewhat diffident in expressing an opinion upon a legal point, and are therefore willing to assume that the state of tbe law is such that it reduces the authorities to their present state of inaction. On the other hand, our common sense tells us tbat, if none buk those whose guilt is already established can be brought to. trial, many crimes, which otherwise might incur punishment, wili remain altogether unnoticed, and that our lives and properties are held on a most insecure and precarious tenure. It ie manifest, moreover, that delay may in many cases defeat tbe ends of justice altogether, because the lapse of time obliterates many proofs which might be of essential importance eitber for the confirmation of, or for rebutting the suspicions against the accused. Even if the enquiry shouid not lead to any certain result, at all events it would do tbis : it would place on record in a definite and authentic shape evidence which might be required in any future investigation. It was only the vaguest suspicion at first which led to the conviction of the Maungatapu murderers. If that crime had been passed over because conclusive evidence was not originally forthcoming, if those criminals had not been arrested on mere suspicion, they would probably have still been at large.

The Ladybekd, with the San Francisco mail on' boards-arrived at the outer anchorage this morning, after having been bar bound at Manukau for two days. '. Agkicultural Statistics. — The following return from the Gazette: of the 3rd inst. shows the quantity of land! under crop in the v Province of Nelsoh iri "ther month of Feburary , lastrr^Number of holdings/ 1222 j extent of land broken up but not under ,'cropV 4580, acres j Nomber of acres in Wheat, 3575; in bats, for ha/ j^Ygr^jfoi^;p322^ffotY graini T905 ; /- iiu ; :-: in ) 'grass 'j for hayj 188T ;; in ;;■.

permanent 'artifical grass 37,734; in potatoes, 1137; in other crops, 766. Total number of acres under crop including s sown grasses, 50,166. Quantiy of last year's crop remaining on hand when the forms were filled up ; wheat, 887 bushels; oats 271 bushels. Inland Communication. — 'We understand that news of a very encouraging nature has been received of the deputation now in Wellington, the members of which are to bave their final interview with Mr Yogel on Wednesday next.