Abusive Language.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 433, 2 December 1876, Page 2

Abusive Language.

Sib, —In your report of the late case under the Vagrant Act, against Mr Read, bis lawyer says “ The case .was a wiw bnnal onc7Vn6~couiplaluairi acknowmT- “ ged having called defendant aliar. There “ was a great difference between pimp and “ liar; and if onevery paltry occasion such “ as this, persons were subject toprosecu- “ tions under the Vagrant Act, a Justice of “ the Peace would have to sit every day.” Now, without going info the apparent inadequacy of the. punishment, or saying one word for or against either of the parties, it appears that there is something radically wrong about this case as reported by you, and as I infer from the finding. “ The case was a very trivial one.” JYgjl, if deliberately, and without the smallest provocation, calling a man in the public street a foulmouthcd, obscene name, be a "very trivial" offence, I should like to know what, in the name of social morality, is a serious one ? “ There is a great difference between pimp and liar r’ I should think there is indeed, a very great difference ; but, as it is put by Mr Wilson, it would appear as though “ liar ” were by far the more revolting term ; but it must be apparent to everyone that this is only an inevitable consequence of applying such a foul and abusive Vipithet to any respectable, orderly, person'. Again, as regaru' the f sitting of a Justice of the Peace 'very’day that is a matter chargeable <uly, »i the defendant ; if he had not con.mi‘ led the offence, the probability is he wo AI not have been charged with it; and it ijteunatter within every man’s power to such a deliberate breach of the exposure ; the more easily where ■■■ iJ nowise pro-

voked to it. I do hope for the credit of your fellow citizens, that this is, as I have heard and believe, an entirely isolated and singular case, and not as one is led to infer, a common, or an ordinary occurrence ; and that there is not the least probability of any other of your people rendering themselves amenable to this Act or giving work for a J.P. through want of Decency. Ormond, November 30th, 1876, Consumption of Drink; Sir.—l have read “No. 2’s” interesting letter in your’s of the"29th? It is a matter which demands.the earnest attention of all well wishers of the good of the District. The Poverty Bay public, as a rule, are, on most social questions, of public importance; completely lethargic. I trust however that a matter of such moment may arouse them. It is high time to take thought for the morrow, and keep all our money in lhe district, we. shall want it all ere long. Anti Intempebance.