CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 993, 1 November 1881, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed bp our correspondents'].

THE DOG BITING CASE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The decision given by the sapient Magistrates, a few days since, in the above case demands some comment. Here we find two gentlemen, both being Directors of the East Coast Land Purchase Company, sitting on the Bench to try a case in which the manager of a large and influential banking institution is the defendant. What is the result ? Although the defendant, who was ably represented by counsel, pleaded guilty . to the charge laid by the police, one of the gentlemen who sat on the Bench deliberately took up the defence of the case, and tried to trip the Sergeant on the ground that he had not proved the ownership of the dog, when, only a few minutes previously, the defendant admitted that he was the owner of the dog and was willing to make full reparation for the injury it had done. “ A straw in the air shows which way the wind blows.” This is only an indication of what may be expected if the members of this “ land ring ” are allowed to gain the ascendancy in Poverty Bay. It is quite clear they are prepared to stick at nothing so long as they can curry favor with the powers that be. Had a poor shepherd or stockman been brought before them, they would, no doubt, have referred to the decisions previously

given by the R.M., in similar cases, and have mulct the unfortunate working man in a penalty that would have been more in harmony with the previous decisions of the Court. In this case, however, it suited them better to ignore all precedent and give a decision which, I can assure them, has attracted the notice and disapproval of every right thinking man in the district.

These gentlemen have boasted lately that they will have four members in the House of Representatives connected with their land purchase scheme, all residing in this district, viz,., Messrs. McDonald,Rees, DeLautour, undDargaville; and now they are bringing Wi Pere to the front also, as member for the East Coast Native Electoral District. Comparing great things with small, the people of Poverty Bay will be able to judge what may be expected of these “ honorable ” gentlemen should they be elected members of our Legislative Assembly. It is satisfactory, however, to be able to prognosticate that, as things shape at present, only the two least mischievous of the quintette are likely to find seats in the next Parliament— Wi Pere and DeLautour—the others stand no chance whatever of being elected. —I am, &c., Citizen.