John Freebody’s Imprisonment.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1824, 26 April 1886, Page 3

John Freebody’s Imprisonment.

The deputation mentioned in our last issue in waiting upon the Minister of Justice with reference to the conviction of John Freebody, for cattle stealing, presented a petition, signed by 798 settlers, praying for the prisoner's release.

Mr Booth. J.P., Carterton,said, with regard to the petition, that there were three points, which it would be well to place before the Minuter. The first was that it waa the spontaneous ontceme of the feeling that was excited in the minds of the people as soon as they received intelligence of the conviction of Freebody. It was felt by those who knew him, that a grave mistake had been made, and that an innocent man bad been convicted. A second point waa that the petition comprised tbs names of all Freebody’s neighbours —those who knew him best, and had been iu the habit of trading with him in different ways since he came to this country. The third point was that none of those who signed the petition had been more earnest or snxiona about it than the very people who, for several yean past, bad suffered from depredations of a character similar to that for which Freebody was eouvicted, on the part of some person or persons onknown. With regard to the man himself Freebody came to the colony in July, 1884, and landed in Wellington with about £B6O in drafts on the Mew Zealand Shipping Co., and one of the Banka, fle brought with him his wife and three children. Shortly after his arrival be waa introduced by Mr Wood, of Qreytown, to Mr Burrow, and from that time he bad had constant dealings with the last named person. Freebody bad been the dope of others, and now nearly all he bad in the world waa gone from bim, only a few sheep and bones, worth altogether about £SO, being left. It anything was wanted to show tbs utter simplicity of the mao, it might be found in the receipt which lie had given Burrow in connection vfith the sale of the stock, the proceeds of which had been paid over to Mr Borrow. [A copy of the receipt was banded to the Minister]. The deputaton knew of a variety of trade transactions Mr Booth then went on to explain about the cattle and the possession of the three calves. About a fortnight before the sale, Freebody went away to a station about 16 miles off, in which Burrow had some interest, and which be was to take the management of on a fixed agreement. Before going he and bia litth girl counted the sheep and cattle on his farm, and left the whole in charge of a boy. Or returning three days before the sale, hi noticed the three calves in his paddock, air remarked upon them to Mr Champeney, i cousin of Mr Burrow. Champeney, however pointed to the ear mark on one of them a; being the same as on his own stock, and as the same number of cattle were on the farm as when be left, Freebody concluded the.' were bis property. Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., concurred in what Mr Booth bad said, and mentioned that Freebody'* ease was on all fonts with the casi against a man named Gordon some years ago. Gordon was convicted, but upon subsequeni investigation he was shown to be innocent and was liberated.

Mr Tple in reply said the spirit which had moved the deputation was a very commendable one indeed, because it was in defence of u man whem they believed to be unjustly in eareerated for a crime of which he was no t guilty. The petition and the statements sup. porting it would be fully considered, and the result of tbe enquiries made would be laid beloie the Governor, and bis decision thereon communicated to the deputation.—Post,