ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1374, 23 April 1881, Page 2

ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Much surprise was felt in the city at the result of the trial of Procoffi for the murder of the native at Te Aroha. Of course the evidence was purely circumstantial, but it was very strong, and circumstantial evidence is, as a rule, all that is available in a murder caso, the exceptions being when the murderer confesses his guilt, or when an accomplice turns Queen's evidence. It is the rarest thing in criminal law for there to he an actual witness of a murder other than an accomplice. Knowing that jurymen are very much averse to pronouncing & man guilty of murder on purely circumstantial evidence, most people thought that the jury would be unable to decide as to a verdict, and so would' have been discharged, and a fresh jury would have been empannelled. However, the twelve ''good men and true" decided that the evidence was not sufficiently strong, and so gave the prisoner the benefit of the doubt. It seems to me that Procoffi'a case shows the desirableness of haying the third verdict "not proven, " which may be given in Scotland. I cannot believe that twelve men of average intelligence, after hearing the evidence given against him, could come to the conclusion that Procoffi was innocent of the charge brought against him, but that the jury simply considered that the evidence wai not sufficiently conclusive to justify them in sending a fellow-man to the gallows ; and so, having only two verdicts to choose from, brought in that of "Not Guilty." Procoffi's friends showed a commendable regard for his safety by sending him out of the Colony as soon as possible, as his life would not have been very safe had he iemained here. Some time ago a man was tried in Auckland for murder, or rather he was not tried, as it was found that the place in which the murder was committed was not under British jurisdiction, ao he was discharged from custody. He went away from .Auckland, and some time after his departure, it was reported that he had died suddenly. Of the manner of his death I can say nothing, but, from what I have heard, I believe he did not die so peacefully as I hope to do. The Easter Races were, on tbe whole, very good, the sport on the second day being somewhat marred by the attempt to disqualify Sportsman for having gone inside one of the flags. The victoiyof the game old horse was very popular with the public, but a severe blow to the bookmakers, as a great many people had taken Sportsman in "doubles" and "had one leg in," to use a sporting phrase. For the 'benefit of the uuinitifited I may ex* plain that it is usual to lay long odds against two horses, which are named, winning certain races. For instance, a bookmaker would bet me, say, 10 to 1, that King Quail would not win the Easter Handicap and Sportsman the Steeplechase. If either horse failed to win his race I would loose my bet. King Quail did win the Easter Handicap, so those who had made the bet " had one leg in," and they would win their bet if Sportsman won the Steeplechase. Under these circumstances the bookmakers were particularly anxious that Sportsman should not win. Ho was, however, the only horse that went straight, from start to finish, po one of the flags was moved, and after Sportsman had gone pawt, it was moved back to its proper place. A protest was lodged by the owner of the horse that came in second, but the stewards were satisfied that Sportsman had been ridden straight, and that the flag had been moved, and so disallowed the protest. No one who knows anything of Mr Rutherford believed that he would permit any unfair practices, and the decision of the stewards was cordially approved of by the public, especially by those who, like myself, had not a penny at stake, but merely enjoy seeing the best horse wm. Talking about racing, it seems strange that the Herald, ona of the proprietors of which is a very goody goody man and a leading light of the Young Men's Christian Association, should devote so much of its space to recording racing matters. However, I suppose the proprietors know that the majority of the public take more interest in racing than in the proceedings of the V.M.C.A., so they provide what will bring most grist to the mill, and the goody goody member of the firm makes matters right with his conscience by giving a larger cheque to the V.M.C.A., or the funds of Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, " Charity covereth a multitude of sins. " The Ponaonby Regatta on Monday was not an unqualified success. There is almost always a difference of opinion as to how the prices should be allotted in regatta programmes. One man declares that the rules for a race have been framed for the especial purpose of excluding bis boat, while another thinks that the rules should have been alter-ed ao as to allow his to compete. However careful the committee of a regatta may be, they are bound to give offence to some one. To make matters worse, the Ponsonby people have an inenviable notoriety for quarrelling among themselves and are divided into little cliques, envious of one another, and ready to impute improper motives where none exist. Whether with or without justice I cannot say, Buch imputations have been freely mode in connection with the Ponsonby Regatta, and the consequence has been an atnonnt of ill-feel-ing utterly inconsistent with good sport. It is to be hoped that the committee will take Buch precautions in future as will prevent the possibility of even the slightest grounds for an imputatirn of unfairness. So the wonderful career of Earl Beaconsfield has come to a close. Beginning life without the advantages of either rank or fortune, he had, by his own great abilities and indomitable will, raised himself to the proudest position to which an Englishman can attain in political life — the successful leadership of the Conservative party, under whose banners are enrolled the majority of the hereditary nobility and gentry. I know that many people will disagree with me in my opinion. They are quite welcome to do so, and to keep their own opinion, and I will keep mine. lam a Conservative, and am not likely to change my opinion, and though I admire such men as Gladstone and Bright, still more do I admire Bea* consfield. They are leaders of the people — the class to which they belong— whereas he rose from among the people to be a leader of a class above that to which he belonged. Of course he had his faults (what mortal has not), but let us not try to recall them, but rather his virtues and his good qualities, his great ability, and the perseverance with which he struggled with and overcame difficulties, and seeing what was admirable in him, try to imitate that, leaving the carping and the criticising to those who can see no good in an opponent. St. Monqo.

The Waihemo people are petitioning to hare their district proclaimed a rabbit district. A band contest is likely to be one of the features of the Easter Volunteer Rerievtr at Qamaru. Thb Wesleyan Band of Hope at Oamaru, which has been only aix months in existence, has' already 310 members. The Dipftn correspondent of the Southland Daily' News states that a local squatter only charges the farmers 7s for bags, while those pdrohaaed in Inveroax* gill cost 93 dd.