WRIGHT IN TEE WRONG,

North Otago Times, Volume XIV, Issue 542, 26 July 1870, Page 8 (Supplement)

WRIGHT IN TEE WRONG,

Mr. Oppenheim, tobaooonist, of Westbourneterrace, has bee* summoned at the Marylebone Polioe-ooarfc, for about the tenth time, for carrying on his worldly o&llkig on tbe Lord's Day, in contravention of the Aot of Charles II. Defendant pleaded guilty to the offanoe. A bmrrister, (supporting the proseoution on behalf of the Society for Enforcing the Proper Observance of the Lord's Day, addressed his worship, asking him to infliob the fall penalty, or, at all events, if he did not do that, and reduced the amount, to allow cost*. Mr. Mansfield said it was a very proper thing that there should be a duo observance of the Lord's Day. He had' lately had several of those cases before him. As regarded this aot, it was a very old one, and one that was ,in foroe when prosecutions for witohoraf t were rife. He did not before the oldest person living oould remember a proseoatioa for that offence. He did not think that matters as ' they stood now were* relevant to those existing in former days. For instance, we had now an organised police force, and if the Home OflSoe ordered the police to take up these prosecutions then he might be induced to infliot the full penalty. He had no faith in these prosecutions. He did think it was a source of great mischief for persons to take upon themselves these ptirate prosecutions. Mr. Bee Wright had applied to him for a summons against a refreshment* house keeper named BertL He told Mr. Wright that he was not the proper person to take up au excise prosecution. If any offence had been committed it was nut for any private individual to take the matter up, but it should be taken up by the responsible po *er of police. Some years ago there were common iuformers, and the Byatem worked so perniciously und brought Buch disgrace upon the country, that a utop wan put to it. The question had now been properly raiaoci, and he had no hesitation in saying that he weald not be ashamed to own if he were wrong. He would not gire his oWoiou now, but would take time to consult with hi* colleagues.