A COMPLAINT.

Southland Times, Issue 702, 26 July 1867, Page 3

A COMPLAINT.

(TO THE EDITOB OP THE SOUTHLAND TIME 3.) Sre, — As an occasional visitor at the Police Courts, for the want of something better to do, I heard the trial a few days since of Mr Eingswell for " unlawfully slaughtering certain cattle." It appeared to me that the most that could be said of Mr Kingswell's offence-7-(suppositig it had been proved)— was, that the letter of the Act had not been complied with.' I noticed a large array of policemen, and wondered greatly at' the astonishing legal acumen of Mr Commissioner "Weldon, whose foray -upon the milk r sellers was an undoubted master-stroke conceived and executed by. a great mind. .... , : , The point to which I wish to. draw attention is this — The Eesident Magistrate, j in giving his decision, spoke ofthe rieces- i sity of the Act under which the charge against Mr Kingswell was laid as a preventive against cattle stealing. I would ask: Mr Weldon whether, as there, are ; now in close proximity to the public road near Wallacetown, the offals of some sixteen or eighteen head of cattle, recently slaughtered, such were" killed under his inspection, or that of Ms subs— and whether the slaughter-house .-■ was duly licensed ? Supposing . neither, to .be the case, and that Mr Weldon is profoundly ignorant of this wholesale unlicensed slaughter, whether the energetic Commissioner and his sleek subs would not be better employed with regard to ; the public interests and for the. prevention of , crime— by a little more attention to their own legitimate duty — leaving them less- : time to harrass and annoy,. by frivolous and vexatious charges, persons whom they well know had no intention to commit a breach of the law. —l am, &c, Wallacetowst. "Wallacetown, 24th July.