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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3611, 23 July 1880, Page 2

We published in a late issue the substance of a petition to the Assembly, praying that Dr Kilgour be removed from the office of Coroner and the Commission of the Peace. The right of every colonist with a grievance to petition the legislature for redress or relief is admitted, but that the Assembly should be asked in furtherance of a private grievance or spite, and at the instance of one person, to punish one who, in the exercise of his duties to the State may have given offence to such person, or even Committed an error of judgment, we very much question; when, furthermore, in order to work out that! retaliation circumstances in the life of the person giving the alleged offence i that occurred nearly a quarter of a century ago are brought to light and advanced as evidence of incompetency and unfitness to hold certain honorable offices, we say undue use is being made of one of" the prerogatives of a British subject, and means are used to accomplish an end, that cannot be classed as at all fair means. If as is alleged the gentleman petitioned against has shown a want of competency or exhibited feelings unbecoming to an administrator of the law, or in anyway brought into contempt the office he holds, representations should be made to the Government setting forth such evidences of unfitness, but that the shortcomings of the past, and that circumstances that occurred so far back as 21 years ago should be advanced as reasons for present incompetency is we say, looking at the petition itself, exceeding all that is reasonable, and shows a very bad case indeed. :..,,'■■ ;; . : '. „.'•■:., ;' ...'■: ,■ ■ •■■■