WANGANUI.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 300, 2 March 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI.

(from our own correspondent.) What is generally believed to have been a miscarriage of justice occurred here' a day or two ago, in connection with a case of alleged criminal assault on a child,of tender years. The almost universal opinion is that a prima facie case had been made out, quite sufficient to warrant a committal for trial. But the R.M.—a most painstaking and capable gentleman in his position—gave the accused the benefit of any doubt that might exist,- and discharged him, merely saying, “ I hope you are innocent.” I consider that a very large percentage' of these crimes might be traced to most culpable negligence on the part of the parents, who are too prone to permit their offspring to wander abroad without proper control or oversight, and thus run a chance of falling a victim to the wiles of any scoundrel who may be prowling about. The sight of an uncared for female child may probably arouse bridal and unnatural desires in natures, perhaps already degraded through the efforts of habitual intemperance, or intermittent indulgence. Ido not say such was the case in the instance to which I allude, but 1 do soy that were children more continually under the parental eye, there would be fewer of these horrible cases fo disgust the public.- It seems as if even the lash fails to prove a deterrent when the animal lusts are unduly excited, and when an opportunity for gratification presents itself. One of our Judges lias said that obtaining money under false pretences is specially the crime of New Zealand ; but I am inclined to think that criminally assaulting young children is becoming equally so. It is rather humiliating to have to make such an admission in a young colon}', where these abnormal sexual proclivities should scarcely yet liave made themselves apparent. Perhaps the new education system, with its free secular and compulsory provisions, may have a tendency to diminish in future the frequency of crime of this description, through those selected as the victims being for the greater part of the day at school, where they should be safe from such a class of assailants. Your readers will be very glad to observe that England will nut probably lie embroiled in the war with Russia, and that a peace may he looked upon as certain. That the colony would otherwise have suffered directly and severely, there can ho no doubt, and that pacific counsels liave prevailed, must bo a subject for general congratulation. In cunning diplomacy and insidious subtlety or political manoeuvring,- Russia lias proved herself more than a match for our statesmen whose apparent object has been to avert hostilities at any price. Russia’s little game is not yet laid bare, and I should not be at all surprised to hear that the peace negotiations had not been yet definitely ratified, and that at the last moment, some screw was found loose which might dis-arrauge all the present negotiations, and leave international matters in statu quo. Knowing the probable effect of a European wir on the prospects of Australasia, I sincerely hope my apprehensions are ill-founded. War is one of those dispensations which tiie rapid growth of population renders periodically indispensable, though the evils with which it is accompanied, mark the epoch for years subsequently. Picton is going to have its gold-field, or at least a quarz crushing company, the prospects of which at present arc about dazzling, as affirmed by the promoters and fortunate shareholders. Well, if Marlborough does not have minerals concealed under its nigged and inhospitable surface, God help it; for verily its other resources are easily enumerated. I hoped that long before now, some of the northern districts would liave given substantial evidence of being gold producing, and I do not despair that such a consummation will yet be attained.

We are going in for a new organ for our Episcopalian Church, and the congregation is proudly expectant in consequence. I am reminded of the editor of the American newspaper who triumphantly announced that he had ordered a new head for his sheet; a contemporary remarked that it ought to have been for himself. I make no comment and point no application of the moral. A curate is also talked of. A parishioner speaking to me on the' subject remarked that when both were in' harness it would be a repetition of the position of matters as thus described in the colloquy between master and servants. “ What are you doing Tom?” “Nothing, sir.” “ And what are you doing, Bill ?” “ Helping Tom, sir.” And a few Sundays ago in every pew in this church was an ad misericordian printed appeal to the members of the congregation to increase their offertories, as such were not at all adequate to- the expenses of management. No wonder. A curate and a new organ !