THE PRISON BRAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2342, 19 January 1899, Page 34

THE PRISON BRAND.

Referring to the case of Edward Collins, a resident of Nelson, who visited Wellington in search of work and was arrested and : sentenced to one month for having incautiously made his way on to private property, the Wellington Post says: — "In the last issue of the Police Gazette there appears, the following : ' Edward Collins. Tried, 13th" December, 1898. Offence — Illegally on premises. Sentence, one month. Native of Ireland. Trade, labourer. Born, 1850. Height, sft sjin. Complexion, freoh. Hair, turning grey. Eycß, grey. Noee, medium. Remarks and previous convictions — Part of sentence remitted.' The Police Gazette, among other places, is distributed to every police station in the colony, and so, in terms of the notification set out above, Mr Edward Collins, a respectable citizen of Nelson, who was innocent of any offence against the law, is indelibly branded with a prison record, until such time as there can be found in high places enough of justice and humanity to efface it. There is no need to repeat hei*e tho particulars of the scandalous wrong that was inflicted upon Mr Collins. The facts are well known, and concern the whole community, and, in the public interest, aa well as of the man who lias been wronged, all possible atonement should be made for the injury. There is only one way in whioh that can be done, and if the Premier bo not urjtrue to his constant professions of humanity and love of justice, it will be his care that it is done. Will he then lay the facts relating to the unjust sentence passed upon Mj 1 Collins beforo his Excellonoy the Governor and recommend that a full pardon be granted, and the name of Edward Collins removed from the gaol records of the colony, not as an act of clemency, but because it has been shown that he was innocent of any offence against the law? Until this be done, and the fact that it has been done is published, in the Police Gazette, that has put the prison brand upon him, tho case of Mr Edward Collins will remain an enduring disgrace to the judicature of this country."

Mr J. D. Sievwright, of Oamaru, has been appointed sub-editor of the Now Zealand Times.

The National Insurance -Company are issuing a useful little ticket-pocket calendar and also a foot rule on cardboard.

Susan Forrester Geddes is the successful tenderer for the Clinton railway refreshment rooms at a rental of £55 per annum..