CORRESPONDENCE. THE LATE ASSAULT CASE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1432, 6 September 1881, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE. THE LATE ASSAULT CASE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — On the 31st August my wife was brought before the R.M. for an assault, whicli I have nothing to say about, but I cannot let the language used by the police sergeant, in reference to my wife, remain uncontradicted. I am surprised that the Jt.M. should allow such language to be used without calling upon the sergeant to prove his words, they being of the most malicious character. I defy the sergeant or any one else to say that they ever saw my wife drunk. If a person, because he is in the pay of Government, is allowed out of spite to damn a person's character, then I say food bye to the liberty of an Englishman, think my wife is too well-known and too well-respected for people to believe the character given by the sergeant. It is very easy to crush a poor man ; but if such had been said of an influential person, the tables would be turned. I shall be most happy should anyone require it to give them references as to my wife's character, &c. — lam,'&c, P. Murphy. Hamilton, September 2, 1881. [In justice to the sergeant of police, who cannot of' course speak in his own behalf, it must be stated that he proved a previous conviction, and that it was because he had no desires to aggravate the cane that he did not go into the witness-box, although taunted by the' accused. • N6 one who knows the sergeant can suppose that he would be actuated by anything like malice.— Ep,]