WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 637, 26 March 1870, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(fkoji oub own coksespos'den-t.) March 11. I have twice seen deep feeling shown by large numbers in Wellington. The first time was at the public meeting held when the news arrived of the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh, and the second time was last night. About 600 persons filled to overflowing the Odd Fellows' Hall, yesterday evening, so that scarcely an inch of standing room in the gallery, dn the body of the hall, or on the stage was unoccupied, while at least a third more were obliged to go away unable even to enter the building. The object of the meeting was to " consider the case of Walter Tricker, now lying in Wellington gaol." It is impossible for me, within the short limits of a letter to give you " report" of the meeting. Tricker's case I have more than once alluded to when writing to you, and I can now only give you a brief outline of the case and the reason why a public meeting was held to consider it. About five years ago a man named Eayner was murdered in the Eangitikei district. An inquest was held, and among those examined was a half-caste boy named Hamdton, who was in Eayner's employ. He then positively swore that he knew nothing whatever of the murderer. The case seemed surrounded with mystery, and a reward for the apprehension of the murderer was offered. The half-caste then came forward and accused Tricker. He said that Tricker had gone to Eayner's house on a Friday, had waited for Eayner to come home, and as he (Rayner) was putting up in the stable his saddle, Tricker had knocked him down with a spade and killed him, and afterwards compelled the boy to assist him in burying the body. On this evidence Tricker was found guilty, and condemned to death. The Eev. Mr Stock, Church of England clergyman here, attended him in gaol, and, though he at first had no doubt of Tricker's guilt, he at length, after a careful consideration of the case, became convinced of Tricker's innocence, and that the half-caste boy had been guilty of perjury. He addressed a petition to the G-overnment, drawing attention to the facts of the case, and the result was that the sentence of death was commuted to imprisonment for life. Still Mr Stock did not cease his efforts, but continued to gather fresh evidence, and to petition the Governor, the Ministers, and the House of Eepresentatives. The result ef these efforts is that two Commissions have been appointed by the House (after sharp discussion) to inquire into the matter, to collect evidence, and to report; and they have given their decision to the effect that the half-caste was guilty of perjury,

and that the alibi which Tricker set up at his trial was fully established. Although this decision has been announced the Government persist in " declining to interfere with the sentence already given." The majority of the public hero are fully convinced of Tricker's innocence and consider that a gross injustice id being enacted here by his being kept in gaol. The meeting last night was to give some open expression to the public opinion, and a more earnest assembly I havo never seen. The feeling that Tricker had been the victim of circumstances, and is now the victim of an over-conserva-tism on the part of the Government, was universal, and each one felt that what is Tricker's case to-day might be his own to-morrow. The Hon. John Johnston occupied the chair, and made a most able speech, declaring his deep conviction, after a careful study of the case, in the innocence of Tricker; and several of our most respected and influential townsmen followed in his wake. The meeting was the most respectable, the most orderly, and the most earnest I have seen in New Zealand, and the following resolutions passed unanimously:— "That this meeting considers that the reports of the two commissions which have have enquired into the circumstances of Mr Rayner's murder, as well as the facts which have arisen since the trial, induce grave doubts as to the justice of the sentence under which Walter Tricker is now imprisoned. " That this meeting is f'irther of opinion that the principal witness apainst Tricker at the trial has been shown to be unworthy of belief, and that the alibi set up on behalf of the prisoner has been affirmed ; and, under these circumstances, considers that Tricker's detention is an infringement on personal liberty and contrary to the spirit af the English Constitution. " That the following gentlemen be appointed as a Wellington Tricker Defence Committee, for the pm*pose of taking such steps as they may deem fit to secure the liberation of Walter Tricker from Ms present imprisonment—Hon J. Johnston, Rev. A. Stock, Messrs R. Pharazyn, J. Hunter, M. S. Grace, T. M'Kenzie, R. J. Duncan, F. Gifford, T. J. Mountain, J. GiUigan, and G. Crawford, with power to add to their number."

This last resolution was carried with, cheers so prolonged that I thought they were never going to cease. You can easily understand from the meeting and resolutions that considerable interest is taken in the case here, and really it is one in which the whole Colony should move. The man has been proved, to the satisfaction of two commissions appointed for the purpose, and of a large majority of the people here, to be innocent of the crime for which he is now suffering punishment, and yet no pardon has been given him. I speak of pardon, but surely that is not all we should give him. He has suffered for years the monstrous cruelty of having been branded a criminal. For months he was kept in uncertainty as to whether he was to be put to an ignominious death ; and yet he is innocent. Surely any compensation we can make him must be uothing compared to the years of suffering and unmerited disgrace we have inflicted on him and his wife and family. I trust you will assist us in Wellington in our efforts to obtain Tricker's pardon, and thus to remove a great disgrace resting on the Colony. The Native difficulty seems as far from settlement as ever. Te Kooti is at liberty, and Tito Kowaru's whereabouts are unknown. Do you know that at present we have under arms and receiving pay for active service a force of about 24=00 men. The armed constabulary number 700, Militia Volunteers, doing active service and receiving pay, are about 1000, and the Native Contingent is 700 strong. Of these latter 350 are stationed in garrisons between Wangauui and Patea, and are not only receiving pay and rations for themselves but also rations for as many women and piccaninnies as they chose to have about them. The actual cost of our small war, therefore, is no slight sum. No wonder that some people are crying out for a genuine peace policy, or that the Ministry themselves (Commander-in-Chief, Donald M'Lean, excepted) are weary of the present system of resultless action and. expenditure.