TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.

West Coast Times, Issue 45, 16 September 1865, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.

Snt, — At the recent investigation into tho death of Thomns Ball, Dr. Bcrndt is reported to have staled" that it was caused by sanguineous apoplexy accelerated by tho morbid state of tho lungs, and might bo produced by excitement, a fall, a blow, or anything of tho sort. Thoro is no external injury sufficient to havo caused death in a moderately healthy man." Doubtless this ovidouco induced the Crown to permit discharge on bail for tho paltry sum of £50. Admitting that there was some disease to account for tho violenco inflicted causing death, it is highly improbable lhat it was softening of tho brain, because such diseases would produce marked symptoms during life, both mental and physical; whereas the decensed, with the exception of some slight chest symptoms, was in the full possession of all his bodily and mental powers. I am not aware if thoro is a medical practitioner's ordinance in force in this province similar to that in Otago, which caused the sudden disappearance of a fow of tho Trcnory school ; and without reflecting for a moment on tho qualifications or skill of Dr. Bcrndt, I think it would bo much wiser to employ an English medical practitioner to make a post mortem examination in every caso of death by violenco in wliich an inquest is held, and explain in simplo terms to tho jury tho result, instead of confusing thorn by a flood of technicalities. In cases like tho present tho general dofence is, that tho deceased struck his head against soirt'o hard substance in falling on the ground. J'udgo Coloriclgo is reported to havo laid it down as law that if tlio prisonor knocked tho deceased down, it would mako no difference whether tho deceased died from a fall on tho stono floor, or whothcr a stono was thrown at him. Life will not bo very secure, and justice will bo ovaded, unless the Crown sots a higher value upon it. The Scripture says, " Ho that spilleth man's blood, by man shall his blood bo shed." Thoro was no ovidonco to show that the decoasod over quarrelled with the murdoror. Did he not premeditate "punching" tho deceased boforo ho returned to his homo P But thero is no ono to dcploro the loss of tho deccasod except liis wife aud fivo children, who, no doubt, will cry to lloavcu for vongcanco. " Yours, &c, 11. W. Bhacken. Ilokitika, Sept. 15, 18G5.

A Disgusting ExnmiTioN of cruelty and hai'barism tookplaco ashort time since. Blocks and tackle were procured, as in the murder of Mr Volknor, and two live pigs woro brought forward — one aa representing the Governor, the other General Cainoron. Tho ropes were placed round their necks, they were hoisted in the air, and then let down to a short distance from Iho ground, when tho wretches standing round gouged out their eyes, while yet alivo, and ate them ; then ripped open their bodies, and pulled out their intestines. This barbarous act thoy executed with fiendish glee and excitement, declaring that it was tho counterpart of what they intended to do with General Cameron and the Govornor, if both, or either fell into their bauds.— Now Zealand Herald. Scene in Court. — A Victorian paper relates the following scone, which occurred in court, tho conviction of the man David Young, lately executed for the Daylcsford murder: ''Prisoner: I did not do that deed. I did not do that murder, -no moro than the angels in heaven. I bog that I may live. Cannot my innocence bo proved P I havo done all I could to produce tho murdorer. His Honor: Tho caso has been conducted in such a mannor as to afford you every opportunity of proving your innocence; to that end no pains have been spared. A largo number of witnesses have jbocn examinod, and it is very raro, in. aenso whore so much testimony is produced, that loss variance is shown. Prisoner: lam an innocent man. Can I havo another trial ? Can my innocence not be proved P I wish my words coidd bo boliovcd. Witnesses aro wilnossos, conscience is conscience. I shall loavo this court an innocent man, though there wovo moro Avitnosses. HisHonor : Every sourco by which information could bo obtained to prove your innoconco has boon ■ oxhausted, and the inquiry will show that persons who do not attempt to control their passions, but havo recourso to oxtromo moastvros, are not boj'ond tho roach of tho Jaw. I do not feel justified in holding out to you any hopo of mercy, howover much it may pain mo to 101 l you this. That prerogative does not rost with me. It now roniains for mo to repeat what has taken place. Prisoner : lam an innocent man. His Honor : The great social and moral lesson that tv trial of this kind affords to the wholo community, teaches men that thoso who will not control their passions must suffer tho penalty. Prisonor (rising up) : Is it possiblo that I must dio! His Honor: I earnestly entreat you to employ your time so as to appear boforo the judgment scat of God. tinman tribunals nifty err. If you aro innocent, as you say you aro, you may rest assured of obtaining justice and mercy from God. The sentence of tho Court is, that you, David Young, bo taken to tho place from whence you came, and llml at such time, and at such placo as the Govornor may direct, you bo hung by tho neck till you ar.o dead, and that your body bo buried within tho precincts of tho gaol., and may tho Lord have mercy on your soul." Tho prisonor then loft tho dock, looking vory pale and much impressed with his awful situation. A Si.ianT Mistake.— A story is told lhat at orto of tho late actions on tho East Coast, tho enemy took possession of i shell, the fiiseo ol which had not burnt ; and, thinking that it contained lead, placed it on tho firo to mold. Ono man is said to havo been blown to atoms by tho explosion that followed.