MR. MACKAY TO RELEASED.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 461, 20 October 1877, Page 2

MR. MACKAY TO RELEASED.

[NY TELKOK.VrH, VltOM out OWN COIU(KSro.NDKNT.] + Wi;u.in<;ton, October 20. In the House of Representatives, at half-past eleven o'clock last night, Mr. Sheehan said that on Thursday ho received a petition stating certain groiindn for Mr. Mackay's release, and mentioned three grounds on which the petition wan based. It was impossible to conceal the fact that this was an assault on n member of the House. Mr. Mackay had been a personal friend both in public and private, life. The fact of his being a Justice of the Peaoe was no justification. Mr.. Mackay had on many occasions risked bin life in the public interests to have the-, law vindicated. He (Mr. Sheehan) had gone carefully through the depositions,, and had come to the conclusion that this; was a case on which the Justices' decision* should be maintained. He had consulted 1 the Crown Solicitor, and the Justices had reported on the case. He could not forget that the assault was committed withini the precincts of the House. Privileged communication between members slwuldl be protected by the House, for ill such, communications were not protected, assaults on members would become common. He was awaro that »o further good would be obtained by keeping Mr. Mackay in gaol. The House would be-, glad to hear that Mr. Mackay had been released from gaol. (Loud applause.) Mr. Hislop then rose and said that ono. part of the statement was not satisfactory. One paragraph stated that the assault was: committed under provocation and that unfounded assertions were made. Hegave that statement the most emphatic: denial. Had the Wellington newspapers fairly reported tho case, the imuchieC would not have occurred.

Mr. Sheehan, in reply, said the Cabinet had regarded the case mercifully, and had concurred in the petition to release Mr. Mackaj; (Applause.)