CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8282, 14 June 1890, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

KAMO-KAWAKAWA RAILWAY. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — have to thank you for publishing my letter, giving a denial to the statement) made in your leading article in last Saturday's issue as to "my having undertaken to get the Hikurangi electors the tramway if they voted for me," and, in reply to your editorial query as to the statement" having been several times made in the Herald, and that it had never been denied by me," I beg to say that had the statement ever appeared as from the editor, in a leading article, or any other reputable quarter, I should certainly have contradicted it at once.—l am, etc., R. Hobbs.

RAILWAY REFORM. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your report of the proceedings at the Chamber of Commerce, yesterday, hardly conveys a correct idea of the importance of the action taken with reference to our railways. The meeting was probably the largest and most influential ever held by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Among others present there were eight or nine members of the House of Representa tives. Not only were .the resolutions carried, but this was done without a dissentient voice, and with considerable applause. The Chairman of the Railway Committee appointed by the Chamber also stated that his committee were unanimously of opinion that a pecuniary loss could not) be incurred by trying the proposed system on the Auckland railways. It now remains to be seen if the public will support the Chamber, and take prompt action to compel the Government to carry out the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee — am, etc., Wileiam C. Daldy, Chairman Railway League. Auckland, June 13, 1890.

CRIMINAL SYMPATHY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,Y our correspondent of to-day, "Justice," rather exaggerates sentiment when ho asserts "that it bodes ill for the community when so much sympathy is manifested for evildoers." It is a question of degree. Is imprisonment for life such a trifling matter in his view ? Rather, does it not show the moral courage of the community in taking up the cudgels on behalf of a poor wretch who, if he could have afforded the services of a solicitor, might have got off with a year or two's imprisonment? It is because those who are guilty of vice in the higher circles escape adequate punishment that public feeling is aroused on behalf of this miserable creature. All credit to those who speak out plainly on the subject, without intending any "disrespect to the worthy Judge. Two wrongs do nob make one right. Because persons on some occasions refuse to help constables, or another only got seven years (and eternal degradation) for some offence, is no good reason why another should be punished in a relentless manner. Probably "Justice" would be satisfied if all offenders were hung. Yet since hanging has been virtually abolished crime has wonderfully decreased. I very much question if your correspondent knows what either seven years' imprisonment, or imprisonment for life means, or he would temper a little mercy with his relentless judgment.—l am, &c., Fair Play.