OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 313, 18 June 1889, Page 3

OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

TBOM OUB OWN COBBBBPONDENT.') An example of the working of our legal machinery baa aroused a good deal of obeer. ration and reflection. Mr B. H, Levien, a aolicitor, and the member for Tamworth, had a branch office at Parramatta. For some time it was managed by a Mr Bawlins, who waa also a partner and received a share in the profits. Bnthewasnota duly qualified solicitor, and complaint waa made to the Supreme Court. Now the Supreme Court is looked upon as the official guardian of justice, just as the medical profession is looked upon as the guardian of publie health. Consequently a good deal of interest waa felt in the decision. Mr Levien's real offence was in making Mr Bawlins a partner. Had he been merely a salaried clerk, the Supreme Court, following the precedent set in the case of Mr J. P. Abbott’s branch office at Narrabri a few years ago, would have declined to interfere. For this offence Mr Levien has been sentenced to twelve months' suspension from the exercise of his profession. Now, several solicitors have been before the Court during the last few months, some of them charged with offences very much more heinous than that of allowing a trusted clerk aaharainthe profits. Some have been accused of neglecting their clients’ interests, although claiming payment for their services. Borne have been accused of unduly swelling bills of costs so as to swallow up all the benefits of a favorable verdict, and some of calmly embezzling the money which had been entrusted to them by confiding clients, But except in the case of the last class, some of f whom were struck off the rolls altogether, no punishment awarded seems to have been more severe than has bun meted out to Mr Levien, The letter gentleman is no favorite with the serious portion of the community, though among the sporting fraternity ha is almost idolised on account of a certain bluff outspokenness which often transcends the bounds nt polite language. But I feel bound to say that there is a general feeling that he has been very severely dealt with. His offence is regarded as one against professional tradesUnionism, rather than against the all-im-portant equities which form the real bond of Society. Mr Levien has resigned hie seat in the Assembly, but there is very little doubt that he will be returned by his old constituency with flying colors. If so, it will be evident that justice, as interpreted by the Supreme Court; is not justice as interpreted by public sentiment. Yet it is obvious that in a community in which all power primarily resides in the people and is by them delegated to whom they choose, such a difference of opinion marks a “ rift in the lute " which may become threatening. Whether it is easier to indoctrinate the body of free independent voters with a loyal devotion to the privileges and prerogatives of the legal pro* teuton. or to indoctrinate the legal profession with a disregard for technicalities when Weighed in the balance against what is interpreted by public sentiment as substantial justice, lam not oalled’upon to say. Either teems to be a well-nigh Impossible task. But it is obvious that a bouse divided against itself cannot stand. Sooner or later a (approchement must bo made. Whether it Will be Quo of fierce revolt and social convulsion or whether it will be brought about by the gradual elimination of anomalies which offend the public conscience, depends a great deal on the wisdom and tact of those who an primarily responsible for the present condition of affairs. Politically, little was done last week. The Land Bill discussion "drags its alow length ” wearily along, and the relief for which the country Is anxiously waiting ia as far off as ever. After all the nights wasted in fruitless talk, it ia expected that the second reading k will bo carried this week without division —a W’ course that might as well have been adopted first as last. Certainly if the differences of opinion respecting the measure are not worth voting about, they cannot be worth the greater sacrifice of wasting valuable time. Mr Copeland, however, an ardent Protectionist, who had tabled a motion in favor of the introduction of a discriminating tariff, deserves more credit than usually falls to the lot of political partisans, He hga consented to postpone the discussion of his motion until the Land Bill and the estimates have been finally dealt with. This ought to furnish a powerful inducement to protectionists to get these important matters settled as soon as possible, and it further sets a very good example to some other ambitious members who don’t seem to care what business they delay so long as their own particular “ fads ” can be pushed into prominence. The storms of last week have subsided, and have left us a nice little bill to pay for damages, to say nothing of loss of life. Yet, now the water has subsided, people will go back to reside on the flooded portions as though they had received no lesson. It would be an excellent plan if municipalities or the central Government weie to mark in some conspicuous manner the boundaries of the flood- Greedy landsharks would then be prevented from swindling men by false representations, and if anyone purchased land for building purposes below flood mark he would do it with his eyes open and not with any idea that he was making a sound investment An attempted burglary, accompanied by a terrible murder has just startled metropolitan society. A constable named Sutherland, one of tbs finest and best conducted men in the force, was on duty in tbe aristocratic suburb of Fotta Point. In the early morning be saw a man entering one of the adjacent mansions, dogs gave the alarm, and the intruder came hurriedly out Into the street. Sutherland accosted him, with the view of arresting him quietly. Seeing that the presumed culprit was disposed to resist, the constable grappled him, and the two men after a brief Struggle fell tp the ground. The man then drew a revolver and shot the constable in the groin. Tbe latter, in spite of the fearful odds pf the revolver against him, stuck bravely to bis prisoner, and notwithstanding his severe wound, attempted to disable him by a blow on the head with his baton, Then the burglar fired again, inflicting seek a deadly wound this time that ths constable’s weakening grasp could no longer hold him, and he got away, Only for a brief respite, however. Covered with blood, and deced with the eipots of tbe bldw pa the head; he wandered pigbt into the arms of two polioe-sergeants pho were relieving guard ip ths vicinity, and who at once arrestw so suspicious-looking a S nonage for the sake of making further qulry, In the meantime, several of the' residents, including Mr B. Backhouse, Chair man of the Oity Improvement Board, and Mr 3. M’Elhone, a eon of the celebrated eg-M.P. had been aroused by the noise of the affray. Making their way hurriedly to the scene of action they found Batherland in a pool of his own blood, and while some stayed to render him any assistance in their power, others gave chase to the murderous criminal he had arrested, and found him in custody of the two officers. Sutherland was conveyed to the hospital, where he only lived long chough to identify the man who had been arrested aa his murderer. Sutherland though unmarried had a mother and sisters capendent on him. He was a native of New Zealand, and hit mother resides near ChristchurchTwo months ago, he had insured his life fn Austtalian Widows’ Fund for £250. lam )oli also that at the beginning of the year he WM almost miraculously saved from drowning, to perish as a martyr to duty. He was one of a party of four constables whowantout boating. The boat came to grief and Sutherland waa the only one of the party who escaped, Thera is now an outcry that the police force also should be armed with revolvers in order that they may be a match for the desperate criminals they have to deal with, Impudent hoax, or marvellous operation ol nature ? That ia a question which, in this age of science, ought not to taka long to deoldej but, as yet, the maintainers of botl theories are equally positive, A stone statue carved with considerable skill, has been ex bcmed in a western quarry, and the posses aors declare it to be a petrified man 1 Thej s hate a medical certificate, too, to this effect and by showing tbe ugly and repulsive blocl pt eo much a head, they are reaping, I believe a riohharvest. But early rising people, whi have been behind the scenes in the matter i mtcical certificates, shrug their shoulders ani tMute to be convinced. On the scientific aid b tbe Government geologist, who declares i ’? be k block of limestone similar to tha

found in neighboring arrios. Of course nothing should.be easier than to settle the question. If it is really a petrified specimen of the “ genus homo” the interior, although petrified, should reveal to microscopic examination all the wonderful details of human organisation. The main organs and viscera, too, should be easily distinguishable, It is evidently the duty of tbe Government to solve tbe problem. If it is really as pretended, the body of a human being, no one has a right to be hawking it about the country for gain. On the other hand, if it is not, no one has a right to obtain money under false pretences. There is another little fact, too, which seems to be generally overlooked. Supposing this body to have been petrified in the place where it was found, tbe water there must have remarkably petrifying qualities which would ba impartially manifested all round. Therefore, there should he millions of petrified articles in trie locality, But the only ihing heard of is this monstrosity—the petrified man—which just turns up in time to form the foundation for an itinerant show. Credat Judaetu I