ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 73, 9 October 1852, Page 4

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Ot ago Witness

Siu, — Allow me to thank the correspondent in your last number who signs himself " An Advocate for Good Roads.'' Such communications are always valuable, and especially so at the present moment, when in all likelihood there will be funds within a few months in the hands of a district council elected by the community for the purposes referred to. The observations of your correspondent give a commonsense view of the subject, which he evidently understands ; and as the funds will probably begin at the low figure of some two or three hundred pounds for the first year, it is well that the application of those funds should be considered beforehand, so as not to lose time, but proceed at once to make the most of them.

The line to begin with, as regards the main traffic of the district, would appear to be, a dray road from Dunedin Jetty to the Clutha, whereby wool and other produce can be seasonably brought up, and supplies taken down in return — the part of the line from Scrogg's Creek being completed fir&t, and afterwards prolonged to the Clutha ; and that the whole work also be restricted to the species of roadmaking recommended by your correspondent. Plow much this would cost, or within what time it could be finished, are points on ivhich the council (if so disposed) could be at no loss, seeing that practical acnice and information can be had from such parties as the one referred to. But it is gratifying to think that Local Self-Government, with a council and some funds in their hands, are now certain, and likely to be established within throe or four months. It had been the intention of the Association to delegate its administration in the colony to a Committee elected by settlers, but it appears by the Clause (No. 78) of the New Zealand Act, published in your last number, that the Association had at once availed itself of the forthcoming elected council for the same end, and the Act itself, if not already in the colony, must be expected daily. — I am, &c, "W. Cakgill. SOCIAL ASTRONOMY. 11. M. has observed, that in the constellation Ursa Major two of the bodies hitherto supposed to be independent planets are only satellites of Boxer and the "Weathercock. On the three last occasions when the constellation was seen this was quite apparent. A NEW JUSTICIAL PtTIIGATOBY. New Zealand is about to be invested with Free Institutions, under which every man will find his true level. "With a \ie\v, therefore, to the better administration of Justice, and the amicable settlement of justicial differences, by affording to all a suitable sphere of action, — it being, moreover, our special province to clear the soil and rid it of impediments to civilisation, — we, Geoffrey Grubhoe, do therefore suggest, declare, and deliver, pro hono jmblico • — Ist. That a Court be erected in Otago, to be called " The Covkt op the Gxme Cocks."

2. That this Court shall be composed of the predominant Justices and their President, with power to recommend to His Excellency and obtain additions to their number of all such E^nuves as shall be found to have fully proved their game-cock qualities, by public exhibition at the Dunedin Battlefield or elsev.-here, and their unscrupulous partizanship in Billingsgate public orations, with an occasional ornamental crow modulated to articulate an oath. Its members shall continue, as heretofore, to bo dignified with the affix J". P. to their names — it being always understood, however, that the said J. P. shall signify Judge Pugilistic.

3. During the tattings of said Court, each Judge Pugilistic shall be robed in a red jerkin (red ha\ ing been from time immemorial the colour of war) embroidered on the right breast with a cudgel, ciossed by nn aim with clenched fist, having the motto " Fccx Pojnili." The President shrill be distinguished by a buff belt.

4. And that all may know why and wherefore each of the aforesaid parties have been appointed to sit in the Court of the Game Cocks, be it enacted that the door thereof be surmounted with the device, a wolf and fox prowling round the Government .Treasury Chest* and the following inscription written under : — Justice swayed by prejudice and party feeling — Subservience for pecuniary advantage — The converse of wisdom and moral power — Imbecile reliance on the judgment of others — The abnegation of the Press and public opinion. JURISDICTION OF THE COURT.

This Court shall be essentially a nobile Court, for the trial of fashionable nobile offences, including all cases of assault and battery issuing in bruised ribs and kicked shins, broken, heads and knocked out teeth, black eyes and bloody noses. And in every rase the Court shall adjudicate upon the principle of a blow for a blow, a kick for a kick, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth : the execution of the sentence being committed to one of their number of approver^ reputation, thereby giving a profitable direction to his pugnacious propensities.

6. Fine and imprisonment shall not be allowed among the punishments of this Court, the power of these antiquated modes being retained by the Residuary Justices ; and be it always provided, that every offender shall have it in his option by which of the two Courts he shall be tried.

N.B. — We, G. G., feel so impressed with the importance of the foregoing measure for a Justicial

Purgatory and Reform, that we hereby give notice to all intending candidates for the Representation of Otago, that we will require a pledge from them to support some such measure in Council.