The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 46, 22 February 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1877.

A case is reported in a Westport paper as having been heard in the Eesident Magistrate's Court in that town which calls for some expression of publicopinionwith theview of preventing the law being converted into an instrument that may be made use of by any unprincipled individual to wreak his vengeance upon one against whom he may entertain a grudge. In the case in question Thomas Johnstone Jones, who a short time ago brought certain charges against Mr o 'Conor for alleged misdoings in connection with the Karamea special settlement which upon enquiry proved to be utterly groundless, laid au information in the Westport Resident Magistrate's Court against the same gentleman for the larceny of a canoe and paddles. The circumstances are thus summarised by the Buller News, which, we have every reason to believe, gives the correct version of the story. Our contemporary says: — " As director of the Karamea ifc had become Mr O'Conor's duty to turn the man Jones away from the settlement, aud although many might have been deterred from dealing with so lawless a character as this man, Mr O'Conor did his duty fearlessly. The first part of the sequel has already been told; Jones came to Westport, thence to Nelson, and thence, having obtained credentials and funds, to VVellington, interviewed a Minister, and an enquiry was made into his alleged grievance. The result, of course, vindicated Mr O'Conor, but still gave him no redress. Jones then returned to his home, the Little Wangauui Ferry, to hold it by force of threat aud intimidation against all-comers. Messrs O'Conor, Rawson, and Dolphin, on their way to the Karamea, desire to cross the Little Wanganui. Jones appears on the scene, and commences to " bounce." The party disregard him -with a proper contempt, and take the ferry canoe, which was placed there with paddles jointly by the diggers on the beach and Mr O'Conor for free use. They cross the river, tether the canoe safely; and go on their journey. Jones watches the party out of sight, and then sends his son for the canoe, who takes ifc a mile up the river for the purpose of concealment. This took place on the 6th of January. On the 16th, Jones comes to Westport and swears that Mr O'Conor had stolen the cauoe and paddle. The information was received by a J.P., and forthwith the process of the Court was issued against Mr O'Conor, who was compelled to come down frpm Nelson to answer this trumpery charge. The case upon the evidence of Jones and his well-trained boy afc once broke down. The case was dismissed with costs £15, or in default one month. Jones will doubtless elect imprisonment— to the relief of the residents of WaDganui." Asa matter of fact, we are given to understand, Jones did elect to go to gaol for fche specified period, firsfc of all expressing his contempt' for the sentence by placing his thumb to his nose and .stretching out his fingers in the manner inimitably described by Captain Maryatt when relating how Midshipman Easy was persuaded to make a Masonic sign to his superior officer. Had the term of imprisonment been twelve months instead of one it would probably have been all the same to Jones, who iri the inmates of a gaol would possibly find congenial companions. But what ' about Mr O'Conor? On the information of a'wclltkuovvn worthless character he was put to all the expense of proceeding from Nelson to Westport, and subjected fco the annoyance of defending himself against a criminal charge. The actual cost to him, we understand, was not far short of £40, the inconvenience and annoyance cannot be reduced to a money value. We cannot but think that the J.P. alluded to, whoever he may be, should have looked somewhat more closely into the matter before accepting the information, and giving lo ifc the weight of his signature, for if such charges are to be lightly made no man mil be safe^as any uupriucipled or revenge.ful blackguard may place one upou whom he has a down in the same unpleasant posifciou in which Mr O'Conor recently found himself. To bring a civil action against a man in Jones' position would be utterly useless, fts yeljl knows, for he is by no means

wanting in shrewdness. It seems to us that the fitter course to pursue against such a man would be to indict him for perjury, if, as is stated, he swore to the fact that Mr O'Conor had been guilty of stealing the canoe. This would be the proper punishment to inflict, and it might have the effect of preventing any such gross perversion of the law in the future.

We are glad to learn from Mr Curtis that the Government have, with commendable promptitude, consented to give free grants of land to those settlers who lost their properties in the recent flood in the Motueka. Shortly after the calamity occurred, Mr Hursthouse telegraphed to the Government, stating the circumstances, and suggesting that land might be granted either free of cost or on deferred payments. The Premier at once placed himself in communication with Mr Curtis, stating what Mr Hursthouse had recommrnded, and asking his opinion thereon. Mr Curtis replied to the effect that he would not advise the location of the settlers in a block, as by so doing the expenses attendant upon a special settlement would probably be entailed, neither would he recommend tbe system of selling land on deferred payments tp the sufferers, as that would not, in fact be granting to them any special boon such a course being at present open to them under the existing regulations. He thought, however, that the opportunity should be offered to them of selecting, free of cost, land equal in value or acerage to that which they had lost in any part of the Provincial district. Yesterday afternoon a reply was received from Major Atkinson, stating that the Government were» willing to act upon Mr Curtis' recommendation, upon the sellers giving up all tide to the land they hud previously occupied, whether destroyed wholly or partially. It will be necessary that an Act should be passed by the General Assembly validating the transaction but the Government have no doubt that such will be done without opposition. It is very gratifying to find Ministers taking such prompt action in a case of real necessity, and their readiness to grant assistance will be appreciated not in Motueka alone but throughout he whole Nelson district. The Colonial Bank will shortly open a branch in Nelson in Messrs Adams & Kingdon's offices in Hardy-street. We understand that Mr Alfred Elliott, for many years connected with the Union Bank of Australia in this town, has been offered and has .accepted the post of manager. We congratulate him upon his promotion, and feel sure that the new Bank could not have selected a better officer. A cricket match was played at Stoke yesterday between nine of the Stoko Foresters, aud ten of the Richmond Odd-Fellows, when the minority obtained in one innings a majority of the total of runs made by both teams, the scores being :— Foresters, Ist innings, 108; Odd-Fellows, Ist innings 42, second innings 45. The remains of Mr Frederick* Silcock were yesterday deposited in their last resting place in Spring Grove Churchyard. Deceased having been a member of the General Cameron Lodge, 1.0.0. F., a large number of that society were present, and the Church service having been read by the Rev C. O. Mules, Mr R. W. Smith, Past Provincial Grand Master, read the Odd-Fellows' service, the brethren in accordance with the usual custom scattering sprigs of thyme on the coffin. The annual sermons in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday School were preached last Sunday by the Rev D. Dolamore in the morning, and the Rev G. S. Harper in the evening. An afternoon service was also held in the church for the children, at which a number of parents and friends were present, the children singing the hymns sweetly from a platform erected for the occasion." Last night the usual tea took place, about 200 sitting down to the good things supplied by the ladies. At seven o'clock a public meeting was hold, Mr Haddow in the chair. The report on the state of the school and balance sheet were read and adopted, the General Secretary reporting an increase in average attendance and numbers on the roll, the latter showing on the books 187 scholars arid 24 teachers. The meeting was addressed by the Revs Dolamore, Beckenham, and G. S. harper, Messrs Price, Hadfleid, Rose, Boundy, and Wood. Several resolutions on the Sunday School and Sabbath training questiens were passed unanimously, after some very excellent addresses. -The total amount of the collection was £11. Causes for Confidence. In these days of humbug and imposture the public are naturally distrustful of assertion unaccompanied by proof. This is particularly the case in regard to advertised remedies, many of which are devoid of the slighest merit. "But a medical stimulant, professionally indorsed and used for twenty-five years as a curative of debility, nervous disorders, kidney and bladder ailments, dyspepsia, and rheumatism, deserves and receives public confidence. Witness Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps. — Advt,