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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4297, 29 December 1874, Page 2

Victoria has resolved to make a present to New Zealand of the notorious offender who was lately arrested there, apparently more to his astonishment than his surprise. It is possible, however, that it may not be found easy to send Sullivan hither. " Atticus" writes in the Melbourne Leader :—" A curious point arises out of the decision of the Melbourne magistrates to send Sullivan to New Zealaud, Is any ship bound to take him, the moro especially as the captain would be liable to a penalty for so doing, according to the New Zealand law ? It was decided some years ago in England that a ship is a common carrier ; but some of the Judges dissented, and I should suppose that an owner would rather run tho risk of an action at law than seo all his passengers leave the ship." We do not suppose that any one among the masters who sail steamers in the New, Zealand trade, either from Melbourne or Sydney, will entertain such a passenger willingly; or that ho would fare well if deported in any of tho sailing craft that come down here. Wo do not think that Sullivan himself would feel very comfortable or confident in the prospect of being lauded at I-lokitika or Greymouth, or even in quiet Nelson. Nor will ho be much more welcome in Wellington or Port Chalmers. None of the provinces will havo him—even as an inmate of a prison—if they can throw tho responsibility from them. Tho case is an embarrassing one —a "white elephant" of a most undesirable and repulsive kind.