CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 60, 28 February 1852, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sin, —It is far from my wish to occupy a portion of your useful journal, but being a stranger here, and having witnessed what appeared to me an act of injustice on the part of a policeman, and from enquiries since made, finding my impression of the act is right, I hope that you will give insertion to this letter, or forward it to the Resident Magistrate for his perusal, that he may have a clear knowledge of the case, not "that I* shall fail to lay before Sir George Grey the conduct of the policeman, as the Resident Magistrate may labour in the dark, and not discover that this policeman, who has a public duty to perform, contrives to render it a channel for his own vindictive and malicious feelings. The circumstances of the case are thus briefly stated. On Saturday last, I observed the policeman in question, (then supposed to be on duty,) enjoying a hand at cards in the "Lyttelton Arms," with a man whom the policeman shortly afterwards (when outside) tapped on the shoulder, and charged with being drunk, and escorted to jail. The jailer did not think the man drunk, neither did I, and the affair seemed so strange as to lead me to make some further enquiry, when I was given to understand that the policeman owed the man charged with being drunk an il old grudge," for having aided and assisted in taking this identical po'iceman in charge when drank at Ghristchurcli at the late anniversary. (The policeman was at that time fined, but not dismissed as he ought to have been.) Sir, I assure you that I should not have troubled you with this letter if I had not further learnt this evening that the man whom I saw unjustly dragged to jail has been refused bail ; — refused bail on an unfounded charge of drunkenness, and thereby may remain in a filthy dungeon on bread and water until to-morrow, to gratify the bad -feelings of a policeman, and I deeply regret that the sailing of our vessel prevents me from personally attending court to give evidence in the case. Surely the Resident Magistrate will become acquainted with its real merits; if I return again, as I shortly expect to do, I will make affidavit of what I saw, and believe to be, such a disgraceful transaction on the part of the policeman, the most corrupt authorities would never tolerate. I am, Sir, your humble servant, H. H. Lyttelton, Feb. 23,1852.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sib, —The exorbitant and oppressive charges of the merchants and tradesmen of the colony, have long been subjects of complaint, and I would wish through the medium of your valuable columns to draw the attention of the public to the necessity of checking any further impositions of that nature. The Government, anxious to relieve the colonists from all unnecessary charges, have abolished the " auction duty," and to prevent the public from getting any benefit therefrom, the auctioneers, (or at least one of them) have thought fit to impose for their own personal advantage, a charge as " Lot Monky," though their legitimate profits are more than a fair remuneration for their labour. On remonstrating with the Auctioneer to whom I particularly allude, he had the assurance to justify, or rather attempted to justify the charge, as being a " custom of the colonies." This certainly is not a custom in the Australian colonies, and we shall be much to blame if we allow it to became one here. If any charge as "auction duty" is to be made, let the Government, or the Association have the benefit, and not those who are foolishly overpaid, by their successful attempt to verify the old proverb of the beggar on horseback. Very faithfully yours, Mr. Editor, X. Y. Z. Christehurch, Feb. 24, 1852.

To the Editor of the " Lyttelton Times." Sir., —I shall esteem it a favour if you will inform me through the medium of your Journal how far the collector of Customs condescends to oblige the public with the use of the Custom House Boat. It is quite evident that that boat and crew have conveyed more passengers to and from vessels, recently, than any waterman's

boat. The poor are not accommodated with the boat, the rich are; the poor have to pay the waterman, the rich ought to do, as they are best able; at any rate, if the Custom House boat is to deprive the waterman of his rights, the Collector ought to provide " forms," and. not have each applicant for a license mulct of ten shillings to fill the pocket of a subordinate. I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, Impartial.