SCOTT'S CASE. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6383, 28 July 1882, Page 3

SCOTT'S CASE. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,—ln your issue of 24th inst.," Traveller " has a fling at Mr Scott, and I think somewhat ungenerously, notwithstanding the case was a muddled, mixed-up affair from tot to last, and the magistrate characterised it as " disc-raceful." It was, however, simply oath against oath, and 1 think Mr Scott's word Fhould havo had more weight with the Bench than otherwise, for various reasons, which 1 need not enter into. Now, I have an Englishman's (or perhaps l should say Scotchman's) love of fairplay, ana though not by any means intimate with Mr Scott, I may say that tho little I do know of him warrants me in coming to the conclusion that it is not at all likely ho would be guilty of what has been laid to liis charge. In the first jJace, being in good circumstances-it not in-dependent-it is not people of this class that, as a rule, go in for that sort of thing. Secondly, having too much at stake m case of exposure. Where Mr Scott erred was in not having as a matter of business precaution, taken an acknowledgment for every sum paid away, or in not having a respectable witness to attest that fact. . , Might it not have been that the individual was wide enough awake to ask for, and receive, part of his money, yet (according to the newsmper reports, if true) got drunk enough alterwards to forget nil about it, thus leaving Mr Scott in an equivocal position from thoughtlessness. , There i« an «ld trite saying, that those who live in glass houses should avoid throwing stones" (and probably "Traveller" comes under this class), and those who indulge in trvin" to injure others on insufiicient grounds, or at" least something tangible to work upon (and even then it is in questionable taste), generally find out what the "Dead Sen. apple " is composed of when sliced. . ft is I need not say, a somewhat simple though serious thing to ruin a person s character on slight or doußful evidence, but it is not quite so simple a matter to reinstate him iv the confidence of his fellow townsmen (aye, even after bw innocence is unquestioned); and so far as a bumble unit like myself can form •in opinion, it would require somewhat stronger evidence than has been adduced before I, lor tue, aenwence in the opinion generally prevaJeu. Fiat justilia mat cahtm.—lam, &c, oHtOAK.

July 27th.