The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1812, 23 October 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1874.

The Auckland Evening Star has done^he amende honorable to Captain Fraser, by expressing regret for having criticised him im ill-chosen terms. If this had been done earlier a great deal of expense would have been spared on both sides, and a vast amount of talk would hare been saved. The trial would probably not have come on at all, and both parties to the suit would have been in a better position than they are now through the disagreement of the jury.' The Star admits that the language which it used towards Captain Fraier was intemperate, and states that it has been found to be capable of a construction not intended by the writer of the articles which gave rise to the action. We are not going into the question of the alleged libel, or the merits of the case just concluded. We do, however, think the Star might hare gone a little further and said that they were sorry for their remarks about ourselves and the Thames people generally. However, this is neither here nor there. We think it would have been better to have explained matters before the trial—in the early stages of the business, while the circumstances were fresh in the public mind; but that not having been done, on the principle that it's "better late than never " the explanation offered by the Star is in a measure satisfactory, and will no doubt be so considered by Captain Fraier and his friends. The Star took such a firm stand in the early proceedings of the case that its recent course may be looked upon as a great con-

cession. The explanation or apology, or

whatever it may be termed, is tendered in good spirit, and will no doubt be accepted in the tame spirit. There has been nothimg- in Captain Eraser's conduct to show that he has been actuated by a vindictive feeling against the proprietors of the Star; neither will there, we are sure, in his future action, whatever that may . be. ■ : v •■ ■■■'■" '.:■;•■

At the Borough Council last night a committee wai appoi»ted to revise the

Borough Bye-laws. This was suggested

by reason of certain petitions having been received from persons who considered that classes contained therein bore

heavily upon them (the petitioners). There may be some clauses in those byelaws already passed which,' were they

actively enforced, would prove a kind of unnecessary affliction on the burgesses, but at the same time the necessity for these clauses may still exist; and the Council would do well to further consider the matter before they rescind any of tho laws, which—besides being in point of fact the same as .those already in force in the Municipal Police Act—have been once carefully weighed by the Council itself. If the Council commence to alter the regulations to suit individual tastes, they, will enter upon a work, the complicated magnitude of which is scarcely to be grasped, because no such attempts have ever been made before. They should remember that in trying Nto please everybody they may please nobody. One of the grievances is that given expression to by the 'bus owners. Well, it may not be actually necessary to enforce the law in some respects a« regards these people, but that the law is there, and hanging over them, is a* wholesome check; and, though not rigorously used, would often prevent greater license. The Auckland Borough is remarkable for having so many byelaws as to render it difficult to know under which particular one an offender may be classed; the Thames Borough will, if they recognise and give effect to every individual complaint—be in the position of having less laws than are actually required.