COURT OF KING'S BENCH — Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 38 (Supplement)

COURT OF KING'S BENCH — Wednesday, Nov. 6.

The King v. Ralph Sheldon, Esq. Mr. Erskine applied for leave to file a criminal information against this person for sending a letter to Thomas Dickens, Esq., a barrister of that Court, with an intent to provoke him to fight a duel. It appeared by the affidavit of the prosecutor that he was on a journey to pay a visit to an uncle in the country, and in passing through the inclosure belonging to the defendant he arrived at a gate which was fastened, and, considering it a public way, forced the lock. Having some acquaintance with the defendant he had intended next moraine sending a letter apologising for his conduct, but before he could accomplish the design he received the following note from Mr. Sheldon :—: — " Sir, — I was, yesterday evening, informed of your unwarrantable and insolent conduct in forcing my gate, which you found locked. I suppose you thought it a public road, but the point shall be decided in a court of law. Now, sir, I have only to add that I consider it a personal insult to myself, and expect the satisfaction of a man of honour. (Signed) "R. Sheldon." On the ensuing day Mr. Dickens, without taking any serious notice of this intemperate behaviour, wrote the following answer to Mr. Sheldon :—: — " Sir, — I got home late last night, and were it not for one or two rash expressions in your letter I should have sooner explained. I always considered it a public right of way, and nothing could be farther from my thoughts than to give you any personal offence. (Signed) "T. Dickens." Notwithstanding the forbearance Mr. Dickens again received the following note from the defendant :—: — «< si^ — There were no expressions in my letter which your proceedings do not warrant. You could not have done a more ungentleroanly act j my conduct has the concurrence of all my friends. You may beat down my gates, but you cannot make a gentleman put up with an insult. You must beg my pardon, or I am determined to take the only alternative of which a man of honour can avail himself. (Signed) "R. Sheldon." Lord Ellenborough— You may take a rule to show cause.