THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1882.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4538, 9 November 1882, Page 3

The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1882.

In bhobbt expressed by the Magistrates yesterday when dealing with a scoundrel who had perpof.rated a slreofc outrage will have foond universal sympathy. The evidenoe showed that on Sunday evening the prisoner, Juki Patrick, was sitting on the footpath in Madras street north. He grossly intuited ft young lady who was pairing by, and MTagely assaulted a carpenter who ventured to remon*trate* with him. We have good grounds for believing that the fellow had been sitting tbere for some time, with the deliberate intention of annoying any unprotooted wom<n, or porohanoe of yet further •musing himself by "hammering" gomebody. We have been informed that a lad who passed the plaoe n minute or two befare the assault took plaoe was invited to " wait a minute and see » lark ; " and Laurenson, the man assaulted, had previously passed and been asked to stop. All this was at a time when people were going home from places of worship. Wo have been further informed, by an eye-witnoss, that two or three other young men wero seated near the prisoner, and appeared to be associated with him. The inference is, that he wbb the 11 choice spirit " of the little band of loafers, •nd that his deeds of daring were to be duly admired, applauded, and imitated. Tho Benoh expressed regret. It was " that they oould not order a flogging, as this was the only thing that would offeofc a ruffian like the prisoner, who oared net whutpain he icflioted on others." Id that regret we heartily share. It may nevertheless be hoped that the ■pirit of emulation existing in the minds of the prisoner's companions has received a severe ohook. Ihe prisoner has been sentenced to two months' hard labour for the aisaulfr, and— unless hn ib able to contribute the sum of £5 to the revenue, he will have to. perform an additional 14 days' hard labour for having used obscene language. ' It is one thing to eootoh : it la another to kill. Experience has shown that larrikinism may be repressed, by an example of the kind under notice, for weeks, or montlm, even ; but that attar a while ifc again aiaumes the aggressive phase. Despite the wholesome isnuence of Young Mes's Clubs, there will, we fear, still be a liberal leaven of larrikinism to deal with. We hope— earnestly hope — that whenever a oitizen has the opportunity of bringing one of these peatß within reach of the law, he will nob for a moment bemtate to discharge his duty to the community. For the rest, the Benoh have expreseod the determination, so far bb may lia in their power, to put a Btop to conduot of (ho kind.