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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 5
[The Opotiki ebullitions]
The Opotiki ebullitions have not ceased. The badgered clergyman has allowed himself to be drawn out by every opponent, and has gone to great trouble to set himself right with the public, who had no reason to suppose him in the wrong. He does not understand the power of silence. It is not pleasant to walk, as he has had to do, « with his head in a cloud of poisonous flies, » and he has not conducted himself wisely under the ordeal. The result is that he has been charged in the local court with criminal libel, and—of course—committed for trial. We noted that the gang who waylaid and ill-used him without any provocation escaped with a nominal fine; but the different treatment accorded to the bailiff, who, not without excuse assaulted Mr Wills's chief opponent, is noticeable. It will also be noted that abusive language is a more costly luxury than personal violence. The defendant was dealt with thus: For abusive language (1), 40s, costs, 11s, solicitor, 10s 6d; abusive language (2), 40s, costs, 11s, solicitor, 10s 6d; assault by striking with fist, 20s, costs, 11s; assault (2) by throwing a piece of paper at complainant, 10s, costs, 11s. Most justices would have dismissed the trumpery case, and in no other court would solicitor's fee have been allowed; nor would a single breach of the peace have been quartered, and heavy fines and costs thus ingeniously quadrupled.