CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 18, 4 July 1885, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

LAW’AND EQUITV.

To the Editor of th" P. P. Independent. Sir —Whilst fully recognising the desirability and positive necessity which undoubtedly exists for affording every protection to our wives and children whilst in the public streets, and shielding them from the insults of drunken men, yet I cannot but think that our Resident Magistrate erred somewhat on the side of severity on Monday last when sentencing S. Boyd to foutteen days’ imprisonment, without the option of any fine. It is impossible to say anything in extenuation of the offence with which the prisoner was charged, but I think that sending a man, —who is well-known in the district as a most harmless and respectable member of the community, and who has always borne the highest character for honesty and sobriety, and has never before been known to do any”one single action which could po'sibly lead to disgrace,— to gaol for fou..een day, is rather harsh, especially when we remember a recent case where the circumstances were

much worse, and yet it was hushed up. It is the old story where fish is made of one and flesh of another, and is explained by the present delinquent happening to be a working man. At the same time I cannot think but what, had our worthy Magistrate fully known the character of the man who was brought before him, he would have thought that the infliction of a substantial fine would have fully met the circumstances of the

case, and that justice had her due. At present there are many who thmk the prisoner has been most severely dealt with, and amongst them, yours truly, Fairation.