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New Zealand Mail, Issue 19, 3 June 1871, Page 8

Vindicating- the Law. —The " Taranaki Herald," in reviewing Mr Gillies' opinions on native affairs, furnishes the following remarks on the late murder of Mr Todd : —Vindicating the majesty of the law is a grand phrase, but the practical carrying out of that idea means something more than mere talk. Let us inquire what the position would have been if Mr Gillies' short, sharp, and decisive doctrine had been attempted. In the first place, the King party meant mischief by the murder of Todd—it was meant to draw the colonial forces to attack, and with the view of giving them a warm reception they had day and night two hundred armed men waiting. They had in the background some eight hundred more ready to assist when called on —they could choose their own positions, and wait to be assailed. They knew intimately the surrounding country, of which our attacking force would be comparatively ignorant. Under these circumstances what force would be required on our side in order that the punishment which we proposed to give would be sharp, and decisive ? Cupidity Ovebeeached. —A correspondent gives the following anecdote of old times and old identities in Dunedin :—" One old gentleman had a corner allotment which was one of the best business sites in the town, and which had probably Gost him £SO. As a matter of course he had any number of applicants for it, but he would not name a price for it; For a joke a person offered him £IO,OOO. This almost took away the old gentleman's breath, and so frightened him that he ordered the man out of his place, and threatened to give him in charge of the police for having robbed a bank. It soon became known about town, and the practical jokers did not lose the opportunity to enjoy some sport at the old gentleman's expense. A dozen or more applicants a day would be sent to him, and fabulous sums would be offered for his allotment. He still holds his land, I believe. Like many others of the old settlers, he was too greedy, and lost the opportunity of getting a high price. But even now I think that property is more valuable in Dunedin than in any other place in New Zealand, except (perhaps) Auckland."