THE CASE OF D. B. ORCHARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9718, 14 January 1895, Page 3

THE CASE OF D. B. ORCHARD.

TO THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE. [Per favour ot the Hditor N.Z. Hekald.J Respected Sir, —I beg to call your attention to the case of D. B. Orchard, imprisoned in Mount Eden Gaol for forgery. He received a sentence of seven years for a crime which many think was committed under great pressure, if not with extenuating circumstances. This unfortunate gentleman has already spent his sixth Christmas and New Year in prison, and I understand Mr. Reaton gives him an excellent character. On one circumstance Orchard may congratulate himself we live in a gradually enlightening era, for history tells us that two women were hanged in London for passing a forged £5 Bank of England note. Some day I believe, sir, this crime will degenerate into a misdemeanour about equal to common assault; or, say, kicking a wife nearly to death, which I notice ia expatiated with three months' "hard." Bat for the facilities offered by banking institutions there would hardly be such a crime. The writer had promises from more than one Government supporter to help in a good cause. The senior Government whip especially expressed his sympathy, and agreed to claim the clemency of the Executive. Orchard is close on the allotted span of three score and ten, and, as hundreds of old acquaintances will admit, had hitherto borne the reputation of an honourable gentleman. I ask you, sir, even now to favourably consider the circumstances, and give Orchard yet a chance of one Christmas and New Year in freedom. have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, Riciid. Marsh. Riverhead, 10th January, 1895.