A CURIOUS CABLE.

Memories of Moorhouse.

The Value of a Farm Laborer's Life Remarkable Coincidence. Grim memories of the past were aroused m Christchurch when ■ the local dailies . printed this cablegram : London, January 29. W. B. It. Moorhouse, the aviator, was fined £20 for criminal -,' negligence. While motoring he m»1 ed a farm laborer. It is ! generally believed m Christchurch that the Moorhouse mentioned by the cableman is identical with William Barnard Rhodes Moorhouse, who started his. sanguinary career m this country. »On March '22, 1{!07, when nineteen years of age, accidently, it was held, ' HE KILLED A BOY OF SEVEN YEARS named Frederick Kenneth Gourlay, on the New Brighton bpach. He was making a speed trial of his motor cycle m view of forthcoming races, when the child was found to be m the way and was bumped into tho next world. Moorhouse was charged with manslaughter- and committed for trial, but he was the : son of wealthy and influential parents, and the Grand Jury, acting up to the disgraceful traditions of Grand Juries m Christchurch, protected one of their own class and insulted the lower court by bringing m "no bill." The people of Christchurch couldn't stand this. It was too hot, and the police were prompt m laying a fresh infprmation. Again was the magistrate satisfied that there was a prima facie case against Moorhouse, and he was committed for trial on a second occasion. When charged with manslaughter at the August sittings of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Chapman devoted the greater part of his address to the Grand Jury to THE MOORHOUSE MANSLAUGHTER CASE, and impressed upon the superiah push that it was unnecessary for them to try the case, but to satisfy themselves that the evidence for the prosecution justified a true bill. This time the Grand Jury brought m a true bill and the young man had to stand his trial, like any common person, although he had the best brains m the "Costs" profession that money could" buy. Skerrett, K.C., had with him Barrister Wilding for the defence. The facts might be shortly taken from Walter Langford's evidence. The beach had been used, with the acquiescence of the New Brighton Borough Council, for the holding of motor cycle races, arid on the. day m question a number of cyclists were trying out. their macMnes. As usual, there were many children about tlio pier, and a number gathered to view a disabled motorc ar. A young man named Ritchie shot past with the speed .of a meteorite escaping from its creditors, and Moorhouse followed/ Two youngsters wandered down m a, line with- the speeding, cycles, a person named Maves yelled, "Come back I"' one of the kiddies sprinted out. of way, but young Goun lay, apparently transfixed . with .terror, was BIFFED INTO KINGDOM COME. Had Moorhouse continued m a straight line ho would havo saved himself a lot of subsequent trouble, but he swerved considerably when ho saw the youngsters, and, as the boy didn't run, as anticipated, he got the full impact. Tho speed of . tho cycle was estimated at between fifty and sixty miles an hour. Lawyer Skerrett called no evidence, but let himself looso m a remarkable address to tho jury, who were asked if young Moorhouse was to start his manhood with the brand of Cain on his brow, and go away with the stigma, which, if not a. disqualification, at least would give his enemies throughout Wfe an opportunity to point to him as a convicted felon. Moorhouse was of rich parents, and would somo day take the responsibilities of a rich man, which involved disadvantage's as well as advantages. Counsel couldn't holp thinking that Moorhouse was now tasting some of the disadvantages of being a rich man's son, and if he hadn't been connected with inlluential people, if he had BEEN A POQR MAN'S SON, it wouldn't have been thought necessary to have proceeded with the charge against him m the absence ot Home guile or moral culpability on Ms part. An importance had been attached to the case altogether disproportionate to ita real gravity. There had been discussions publicly and privately with regard to tho matter, und such ' discussions shouldn't take place m a case of» this kind. Counsel . placed considerable stress, on the youth of. Moorhouse, and said that it must be proved to the 1 satisfaction of tho jury that there had been culpability, and ctim'nal neglect. The jury, after a retirement of an hour and forty minutes, returned a verdict of not guilty, but added a rider that, In its opinion, motor vehicles should not bo propelled on the New Brighton beach within three miles of the pier nt a greater speed vhnn twelve miles an hour. Of course learned counsel's insinuation that the second information and thc widespread indignation were due to the fact that Moorhouse was the son of rich parents, is more piffle. The public indignation was due to mi attempt of the Grand Jury to prevent ono of TIIKIR OWN BOODLE CLASS from standing his trial like auy common citizen. Unhappily, tho Grand Jury is m the hnblt of doing that sort of tiling In Christchurch, and had Tommy Taylor lived it is probablo that tho Grand, Jury would now bo an abolished relic of ihe barbarous pastIt is an interesting coincidence to find that, tive years later, Moorhounc} —whoso Initial* appear to Indicate that he is New '/onlanU's William Barnard Rhodes aforesaid— was found guilty m good ole Hinglaml of criminal negligence m destroying human life A farm laborer, however, m not an Important person m the elderly country—worth apparently about -Can. It will also bo noted with Interest that Moorhouse is an nvlntor— with his record there Rre Immense possiUllitiej. about aviation. ■