PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION.

NZ Truth, Issue 93, 30 March 1907, Page 5

PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION.

A CRUEL CASE.

High-handed Action of a Marton

Medico.

They have- a pretty specimen of a medico up Marton way. He recently engaged a young fellow named Atkinson, a new arrival, as a groom and general rouseabout. The man for his services, had his keep and a. whole. 10s a week to spend m riotious living or keep his poor relations or whatever he chooses to do with it. The doctor, wanting his groom, to look a prosperous and proper sort of person, arrayed him m some cast off olothes. All went well until the day when driving the. Dr's turnout, the groom found it necessary to leave the trap for a few minutes as he was suddenly taken ill. The horse bolted and of course there was the deuce to play when' the dootor came on the scene. He raised Cain and sacked the groom. The lad had to seek fresh woods and pastures new, and found his way to Fielding. Dr. Crawford discovered his whereabouts and poor Atkinson was rather surprised when Constable Henderson arrested him on a charge of laroeny of the doctors clothes. Atkinson naturally thought that this was a bit bally awful, but he could do nothing but to accompany the John Hop back to Marton. The J.P.'s. on the bench showed their sense by promptly dismissing the case. Then good Dr. Crawford had the gall to invite Atkinson back to his job. Possibly he thinks that 10s a week and found is a splendid job for a young fellow 25 years of age. Atkinson, of course, is helpless. He has no means to seek a remedy for the gross injustice^ that has been done to him. Anyhow, it is refreshing to find a bench of J.'bP. who can look upon the merits of a case, and not decide against the worker just because the other side happens to belong to the " respectable " push*