THE "TROUSERS CASE." TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 549, 30 June 1879, Page 3

THE "TROUSERS CASE." TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Slß— There appears lobe a streak of light in f tbe darkness of native affairs. If late telegrams are to be relied on, the country may at last be congratulated on some reasonable firmness having been shewn by the powers that qught to bo. A native has, It appears, actually been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for stealing a pair of trousers. Hiroki, if he has w- -any, mtjr perhaps begin to shaka la bis. Passengers by Government railways will have some slight hope that Jf they are stopped, jolted, stuttered, or smashed to Ijieces by an aboriginal obstructor of the me, action will be taken to prevent a recurrence of*the inconvenience to themselves, their heirs, executors, or -assigns. The firmness shown in tbe "trouserscase"is the more hopeful, as excuses for the defendant were palpable enough. To got possession of that article of dress by any means displays a sense of decency, an 'element of civilization tbat ought to be encouraged. Some people would not have been surprised, if tbe judgment bad been that* the Maori might keep the breeches, and tbat the cost to the original proprietor should be placed with the £100.006 belonging to the Canterbury local bodies in tbe schedule of the next Government loan. I am, &c, Settler.