Australia FIRST BATCH OF EXPIREES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 455, 23 November 1864, Page 4

Australia FIRST BATCH OF EXPIREES.

A more than ordinarily silly action in most instances recoils upon the head of its perpetrator. This, we fear, will not be the case with Mr. Wilson, unless people in England are sensible enough to dissociate that gentleman from intelligent and patriotic Victorians. The first batch of expirees, amongst whom is a most accomplished .-burglin' with the highest testimonials from his former in Tasmania, and elsewhere, have been shipped off to England, but in what vessel has not been made public. -We had some hopes that the unanimous condemnation of his mad scheme by tha intelligent and unargusified portion of the press would have cured Mr. Wilson of his craze ; but he is as headstrong as ever. What is the use of holding meetings, signing petitions against Transportation to Australia, and enlisting on; our side, by facts, figures, and respectful remonstrance, all sections of the British press and a majority of the House of Commons, if a crack-brained enthusiast, with the assistance of a few coadjutors who have more money than wit, cau by one mad act cause a complete revulsion of feeling? Mr. "Wilson proceeds to Europe by the outgoing .. mail, with the view, we presume, of making preparations for the proper reception of his interesting consignment, and laying off their runs. When his pets have got rid of .Their sea legs, and settled down to their regular walk in life, we may expect to see startling announcements of their exploits in the London papers. We commenced by saying that Mr. Wilson is likely to enjoy immunity from the folly he has committed. It would be something very like retributive justice were he to be committed at Bow street as an accomplice, upon the discovei’y of the perpetrators of an extensive burglary accompanied by violence, or perhaps, more correctly speaking, as an acessory after the fact. Unless his shipment come up to’ the mark in robbery and attacks on the person, Mr. Wilson’s mission will have been in vain. If they do realise his expectations, and Mr. Wilson’s whereabouts in London or the country is known to the police, there are few magistrates who would refuse to grant a warrant for his apprehension. But the greatest punishment of nil would be a garotte robbery upon Mr. Wilson’s sacred person—of course in the dark—by a member of his little flock, attended by the loss of his watch and as much money as would pay the passages of the second batch of expirees. We should, of course, be sorry to hear that our distinguished compatriot had been maltreated, but should scarcely regret a little gentle violence, seeing that it would be followed by a perfect cure.— Despatch.