To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 5 August 1863, Page 6

To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail.

Sir,—As police surveillance is one of the most obnoxious things to a free-born Briton, what must be the feelings of the people of this Province when they find themselves absolutely under police rule ? When the diggings first opened here, Victoria was asked for some of the force which she had then in such a state of perfect organization. A junior Sub-Inspector (Mr. Branigan) was selected to take charge of the contingent. If Mr. Branigan had confined himself to the duties of his department, it would no doubt have saved

him from a great deal of the odium deservedly heaped upon him lately. Who has ever previously heard of a policeman sitting on a licensing bench to decide, when his subordinates were the parties objecting ? Again, we find him Visiting Justice to the gaol, to see if the man he has publicly prosecuted for murder, have any complaints he may make satisfied. We find him, in the next place, an engineer, negotiating contracts; but his last character of Director General, surpasses everything. Hardcastle, who was dismissed from the police force by Major Richardson,. our late ouperintendent, we find is appointed Warden and Magistrate at the Arrow! What next! That Mr. Branigan should have the effrontery to suggest such a thing, is without parallel for impudence, and a gross outrage on public decency ; and Mr. Superintendent Harris, who could so far forget his position as to entertain for a moment such a recommendation, is also deserving of the highest censure.

That Mr. Branigan has caused, through his partiality, many efficient officers and men to leave the force, is an undeniable fact. What encouragement is it to officers and men to find an instance such as that of Hardcastle ? If it is to be police that are to be appointed, let them take it in turn, or for meritorious conduct. Let us not pass over officers actually serving, and turn back to the dismissed characters.

That it is almost impossible to please everybody, is an old proverb. Mr. Branigan has been most unfortunate in his attempts at managing the police force; his appointments have been most unsatisfactory. Good men have been obliged to leave, whilst others are entirely overlooked. I may mention Sergeant Sheridan in the first instance, and Sergeant Trimble in the second, —two most intelligent and active men ; whilst Bailey, Dauglish, and Percy—men who were in every respect inferior to the above-men-tioned—have been promoted. Trusting, Mr. Editor, that you will insert this, and use your pen against such stuffiing of benches with dismissed policemen, &c., and keep those who cannot manage their own affairs from meddling with those of others, I am, Sir, yours, &c., Lover of Justice.

To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. Sir, —Permit me sufficient space to draw attention to an intolerable nuisance, viz., the verandahs. Like many others, 1 have been compelled to traverse the streets very frequently during the late bad weather, and at various points have been forced through pools of mud and slush by these verandahs being blocked up with show goods and cases. Not only have the pathways been encroached upon, but even large portions of the streets taken up beyond these verandahs. That verandahs, on a properly regulated scale are an acquisition, no one will deny; but I hope our new Town Improvement Committee will bring this abuse under the notice of the proper authorities. It is almost needless to say that the exposure of goods so recklessly is a great incentive to crime, and in all well-managed towns this system is kept within reasonable bounds.

I am, Sir, yours, &c., • One w ho has Suffered. Queenstown, July 30, 1863.