Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 534, 17 January 1878, Page 2

Joiix Ch.vt.ker, it will be recollected, was chanced a few months ago with having in his possession an unlicensed still, and was, after a tedious trial, sentenced to eight months' imprisonment with hard labor in the Dimedin gaol. The evidence against Chalkkr was scarcely of a conclusive character, inasmuch as only a portion of a atill was discovered upon his premises. The general impression was that, as no "worm" was discovered, and it had not been shown that Chalkki: had disposed of any spirits, there remained to be adduced at least two important Jinks in the evidence against the accused. For these reasons not a little sympathy was felt, and. Mr. O'Aleaoheb, Chalkek's solicitor, forwarded a petition to the prisoner for his signature with the object of obtaining his release. The Visting Justices, however, returned the document to Mr. O'Meagher asserting that it was not allowable for Chalkek to sign it, as he had not served tlie proportion of imprisonment necessary to admit of extending such a privilege. The prisoner's solicitor then forwarded the petition direct to His Excellency the Governor, and the result is that the pra> er of the petition has been granted, and Chalkek is once more a free man, and is to-day walking the streets of Oamaru. Whatever may have been the merits of the case, the accused has suffered so keenly that it will not only be a warning to him, but to others, to '-'avoid all appearance of evil."