THE LONGHURST CASE.

Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 50, 1 March 1883, Page 2

THE LONGHURST CASE.

A meeting of tho committee appointed by a recent publio meeting to take steps in the direction of obtaining Georgo Longhurst's release from prison was held at The Shades, Manners-street, last evening. There was an excellent attendance, and Mr, T. Dwnn occupied the chair. Mr. M'Keeyer, tho hon. secretary, road the draft petition to his Excellency the Governor, a copy of which was published in our issue of yesterday. The Chairman remarkod that the petition embodied everything necessary, and oxpressed his opinion that it could not have been got up more ably. Mr. Collett moved that tho draft petition should be adopted. This was socoii'lod by Mr. E. T. Taylor. Mr. George Fisher said that he had at* tended the meeting by invitation in his private capacity, and presumed that as a citizen he would bo permitted to say a few words on the subject under consideration. The chairman had askod those present to offer any suggestions they might think fit, and he had one to make. He offered it with diffidence and with every respeot, because all present could see that the petition was very complete, and had boen drawn out by some gentleman perfoctly acquainted with the foots of the case. Still ho thought that that person had unconsciously committed an error in its preparation by inserting a paragraph (the last but ono) to the effect that the petitioners could not think his Excellency had been properly apprised of the outstanding injustice that was day by day being wrought. He (the speaker) did not wish to throw cold water upon the agitation for Longhurst's release, but would like to point out that by tho retention of snch a clause a good deal of harm might be done, as Ministers might consider that such an expression of opinion was a reflection upon themselvoß. As tho petition at present stood the Governor was askod plainly, but respeptfully, to re-oonsider a decision 'which Ministers had arrived at after careful deliberation, and a reply would probably be returned that his Excellenoy saw no reason to alter that decision. He (Mr. Fisher) therefore proposed that this course should be adopted — that the paragraph in question should be struck out and one inserted to the effeot that the petitioners had every respect for the decision of the Cabinet, out that while they did not wish to dissent from it, they considered the punishment already undergone had been amply sufficient to meet tho ends of justice. Mr. Cooper asserted that the wholo evidonee in the case had not been placed before the authorities, and said that if the full particulars had been related to the Minister of Justice the Governor could not have done anything else but release the prisoner. The Chairman said the meeting were on the horns of a dilemma, and invited those present to offer suggestions as to the beßt course to pursue. Mr. Kirton pointed out that if Mr. Fisher's proposition were adopted the petitioners would have to acknowledge that Longhurst was guilty of the minor offence, whioh they declined to admit. Mr. Fisher remarked that he had simply made the suggestion in order to place the petitioners in a better position than they would be if the petition waa adopted as submitted. Mr. M'Keever thought the meeting was indebted to Mr. Fisher for pointing out what he considered an objection, and urged that the draft petition should be adopted without amendment, as all those who took an interest in tho case were of opinion that Longhurst was not guilty of any offence whatever. The spoaker conoludod by expressing an opinion that if the Governor did not accede to the request of the petitioners the matter would form a party question in the House next session. Mr. Collett also thought it it inadvisable to adopt Mr. Fisher's suggestion. The Chairman followed in a similar strain, and said the petitioners would go for ' neck or nothing. After some further remarks from Mr. Fisher, the resolution of Mr. Collett was put and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Tyson, seconded by Mr. Phcßnix Briggs, it was deoided to circulate copies of the petition at once throughout the colony, and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Carter, Cooper, and the Secretary was appointed to make arrangements for procuring signatures. _ This concluded the business. ;