A HARD CASE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 857, 7 August 1879, Page 3

A HARD CASE.

Watchman, what of the following as a specimen of the Nineteenth Century, justice 1 m a nation boasting of the highest civilization, to say nothing of more arrogant preventions A labouring man was recently sent to prison for a month by a Chester Magistrate, under the following circumstances. His wife became insane and was taken to the Asylum, leaving her husband with six children who Avere admitted t® the work house on their father agreeing to contribute 10s per week towards their support. A few days afterwards he broke a blood-vessel while m the street, I and was taken, by the police, on a stretcher to the infirmary, where he had to remain for some weeks. Soon after his recovery, a severe frost set m, and he was unable to find employment for some weeks. He was thus reduced to great straights, and on Christmas morning tried to earn a few fence by gathering holly. &c, for decorations. A few days afterwards he was summoned for neglecting to support his children. Evidence was given which showed- him to have borne for 20 years a good character. Yet, notwithstanding, he was sentenced to a month's hard labour. When being removed from' the dock he exclaimed. "For God's sake gentlemen, give mo a chance. I was never m prison. If you send me, I'll lose my work. If you give me time I'll pay all." His cries for mercy were m vain. It may be that m these colonies we err m the other extreme — allowing base scoundrels to escape through informality of indictments, or secureties through incorrect filling m of recognizances, or even unprincipled parents to palm off upon the state superfluous or unruly members of their familes, yet better this, than have one Buch case as the Chester.