The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1863.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 52, 28 October 1863, Page 4

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1863.

The ancient Britons previous to sending forth their forces to battle offered up sacrifices to propitiate the gods. The modern New Zealanders have reversed the practice and furnish sacrifices to mark the inauguration of works of peace. A prisoner committed to Dunedin for trial has died through the effects of disease and exhaustion brought on by exposure while being transferred from Queenstown to Dunedin. The hardships under which the young man broke down were the direct result of the want of road accommodation. He was given in charge to the commandant of the Escort, and mounted on horseback in his company. He was unaccustomed to ride such a distance. At the crossing of one of the many swollen waters which form such a pleasant feature in the journey to Dunedin via the Dunstan, and when the horses had to be swum across, he lost his seat, and but for the exertions of Sub-Inspector Dagleish, would have been drowned. We are informed that the rescue was accomplished by this gentleman at the imminent risk of his own life. The prisoner was unable to sit on his horse; the immediate result of the fatigue was a violent illness; and the end was death in a prison. Thus, have the majority of the members of the Provincial Council of Otago managed to add another victim to the long list which stands recorded against them. The deduction is simple. Any man may be weakened through anxiety of mind and some weeks' confinement—be unskilful in the management of a horse—be committed to Dunedin and ride to death over this frightful road. Every few days we have accounts of men being drowned in crossing rivers at places where small sums would procure available bridges. We have men coming into our township who in the short space of time required to traverse the road between Dunedin and the Lake have dwindled down from lusty strength and health to leanness and sickness. And all of it, we say again, a result of the cruel and unwise policy which squanders with a lavish hand, in Dunedin improvements, the money wrung from the miners on the gold-fields, and denies to these fields the very rudest means of access.

As we have ever consistenly and irrespective of persons or parties attributed blame were we considered blame just, so have we with propriety taken every opportunity of bestowing a meed of praise where admiration is due. We are happy in this instance to be able to say that so far from blame being attached to the police in this matter, the contrary is the fact. Not only did one of that body risk his own life in trying to save that of the prisoner, but Mr Sub-Inspector Bailey and the other members of the force seem to have treated him with a kindness and attention which must have done much to soothe his last hours. We think it right that the public should be made aware of such conduct, and it must prove a pleasant reflection to those forming the Escort, that what lay in their power to mitigate suffering was done on this occasion.

This is the first time that a prisoner has been taken from Queenstown to Dunedin by the new route. Formerly they were sent by coach, via Kingston. As a matter of course, a few more cases of a similar nature will occur,

and then the Provincial Government will perhaps make a move in the matter. It is only part of the reversed system to which we alluded in our opening sentence. Those who are curious in matters of arithmetic, might form an interesting calculation to work out the number which is likely to be added to those already done to death. Given, fifty men drowned on the Shotover for want of bridges, how many for all the rivers of the Province ?