Correspondence.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 303, 14 September 1860, Page 2

Correspondence.

• To the Editor of the Colonist. " Virtually, a public censure for, virtually, an acquittal and fine." Sir—Some of your readers will not have forgotten that, a few months ago, the Justices of Nelson inflicted what they at the time styled the smallest fine they could inflict, namely £5, for what was admitted by them and at all hands to have been merely an inadvertence—there, in fact, not being the slightest evidence of an intention to do the act. It certainly did appear to many at the time, and, indeed ever since has appeared to have been a strangely inconsistent decision: and what was stranger still, it cannot but be remarked that on His Excellency the Governor being memorialised thereon, and the case being remitted back again to the same gentlemen of the Bench (Messrs White, Wemyss, William Wells, and Newcome,) to report upon, so tenacious were they of their sagacious decision, that the natural result of their report wag such that no redress was to be had!

At the last July sitting of the. Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Johnston thus very appropiately expressed himself: — 'In all small societies, there arc-often temptations to act upon prejudice and personal feeling, rather than upon strict principle. We all have need to reflect on our responsibilities, and to strive against any promptings of prejudice and feeling to which we may be exposed, and especially as regards the administration of justice. It is our sacred duty to guard ourselves with the most critical jealousy from permitting antipathies or sympathies, indignation or weakness, or too great carefulness about the opinions of others, to affect our judgment, or avert us from the straight path of duty that lies before us. . It is my firm conviction that in proportion as the duties connected with the administration of justice in a community: are discharged by all persons and bodies, bearing responsibilities respecting it, with honesty and intelligence, wftl the true interests <>£ that community be likely to flourish: and in proportion as prejudice, favor and weakness are allowed to affect the conduct of such responsible persons, may the speedy degradation, corruption, and subversion of society be looked for.' However, those of your readers who are zealous of justice being done to all, and of (generally speaking,) of all wrongs being corrected and redressed, will, be glad to hear that fortunately amongst the Hon. Members of the General Assembly of New Zealand there are some who are not merely "pooh-pooh " gentlemen at acts of oppression and wrong, and who are not to be " poohpooh'd " at an act of gross injustice? for the above case has lately been before a committee of the House and a resolution there passed and recorded :— "That there was no. proof whatever adduced before the Magistrates that the stamp had been used with fraudulent intent, and that therefore the fine of £5 ought not to have been inflicted, and should be remitted." To those whom it concerns:—"sera nunquam est ad bonos mores via." A LOVER OF JUSTICE.

• The Sydney Herald contains the following telegram from. Adelaide: "At the Barrachelna station, to the northward of Port Augusta, upwards of 600 cattle are lying dead from want of water, and tho average num-. ber dying is daily estimated at 500,