Correspondence.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3498, 30 April 1890, Page 2

Correspondence.

The Distillery Case. - . (To the Editor.) _ Sir.—Should riot the Justices who dismissed the charge against Mrfl Otaniner becallod upon to explain their reasons for this gross maladministration of the' Distilleries Act? The Act plainly sets forth that any person found with distillery apparatus on his (or her) premises shall be liable to a penalty of not less than 150 nor moro than £SOO, or imprisonment at the discretion of tho Court. The charges of the information that a' worm was found on the premises, of Mrs Cranmer, not having been disputed, what grounds have the Bench for dismissing the information? I submit, sir, they have none. They havo wilfully and knowingly gone beyond thtir jurisdiction. From the evidence given it may have been inferred that Mrs Cranmer was the victim _ of a "foul conspiracy," but on this point there was no direct evidence, otherwise there would bo «n opening lor the prosecution" of the conspirator. Even had there been direct evidence, the. Court would not have been justified in dismissing the case, The law may bo an iuiquitbus one-and 1 admit that it undoubtedly is—but, until it ia repealed or amended by Parliament it is incumbeut upon Justices to administer it in equity. Trusting that, somo explanation can be given for tho extraordinary conduct of the local Justiceß in this ; matter,—.l am, fc„ ■... , '' k V . ' ' "QUO JuJRE ? The. Meeting of Householaers" [to the editor] Sir,--As a parent interested in the welfare of the Masterton school'l attended themeeting on Monday night for theelectiou of tho School Committee and I was pleased to seo a greater number of the intelligent members of the community present, Tho result of tho poll, and tho details of the voting especially, will, I should imagine, show that more discrimination has been used this year, The thanks of all thoughtful electors present are due to Mr Hogg for the lesson he afforded them; for without intending it he showed himself in his true colours. He opposed in a very unfair, illmaunered, and disorderly way a perfectly legitimate question, Surely he would not havo us Understand that a school committee is irresponsible fur what it does durinn the last three months of iti existence! llmt would mean that the new committee elected last night is responsible for the doings of tho old one for tho last three months-a case of Visiting ths sins of the parents on Ae unborn oabe with a vengeance, ihe Mucntion Act may require all tho accounts of Boards and committees to bo made up for tno calendar year, but that does not do away with the responsibility of tho committee to the electors for tho full term of their olhce. The other members of the old committee will, I should think, be thoreversoof grateful to Mr Hogg for his action in the matter,' for if the rough statement of indebtedness is it all to'be depended on they may be credited with having done very well. Mr Hogg's clap-trap smartness, while appearing toßiiit the beardless and childless «gods, "rm most distasteful to the majority present; and au insult to their intelligence, He evidently has little belief in the old saying relating to discussions that " noise is no argument." With him noiso is .not only arguniont, it is everything. The worthy chairman wasoveroomebyit, and when ho did recover enough breath to gasp out tint Mr Hogg was not in order, that speaker had not the graco to bow to thechuirman's ruling but mulishly resisted and wanted to have it out with him, Mrßenall, too, was entirely out of order in taking the platf,rm in the midst of the nominations and in launching out a tirade of personal abuse. He, lam afraid, is too old a sinner to be taught good manners. The meeting seomed to have caught, the infection of bod manners, for it broke up ina most disorderly manner, excusably forgetting, perhaps, that a chairman was supposed to havo been presiding. I was dissappointed in not hoaring something of that personal mattor referred to in the report. _ If what my obildren told mo is true, it is a pity the committee in justice to themselves, did not publish the full facts, Tho electors would then have had- further need to be grateful to Mr Hogg for letting them know tho sort of company ho is so partial to.—l am, k, "Disgusted Pabent." The Late School Committee Election. TO THE EDITOR, Sm—Kindly correct an error in your issue of yesterday, You stated that I blamed Mr Hogg for robbing tho School of LJ.QO, which should have been LSOO that I blamed him for depriving the sido school of. I am &c, WiLiuu Adams. : (To tho Editor,)' Sir.—Referring to the late election of the School Committee would, you kiucly allow,me to state through your columns that I am not connected with tiieJjibDpsl praiiy. pjlier noljtjgal association as might he inferred irora your leader in last Monday's Daw, and further that I had no communication with Mr Hogg regarding the election. I may state that I haue been asked on several occasions to allow royeelf to be nominated hut have declined the honour. Should lat any tjme .intend to become a public man I will give you d. no rtqtico, of the. and have to request 'that you wait for 6uch notice before publishing 'iny liaine on )Jje «tre'ujt| f|a' mere' raudorri elatenieiit. '"" "" '.."'' Yours, etc,,. CIIAS A PINKEHTON,