The Shortland Case.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 661, 22 September 1891, Page 3

The Shortland Case.

NEW ZEALAND HERALD. We are profoundly thankful that we are done, for a time at least, with Hugh Shortland. It has been with us a matter of deep regret that we have had to devote space to a trial involving disgusting details, bad enough in themselves, and made worse by the fact that the accused was lost to all sense of shame, and has occupied the time of the Court in proving that he had no human feel- ► ing whatever. Dr Laishly was present in Court during the trial, on the part of the relatives of the unfortunate man, and we understand that if he had been allowed to speak he would have asked that, hefore sentence was pronounced, Shortland should be examined medically, to ascertain if he were sane. We have no doubt that Shortland is a moral lunatic of a most dangerous type, but we believe that hie insanity is of that character that makes the gaol a fitter place for his detention than the Lunatic Asylum. He is Connected with a family well known in the history of New Zealand ; he is himself a man pf good education, and of great mental acuteness in certain directions. But his mind is utterly deficient in essential moral qualities, and this renders it dangerous for him to be at large. We are very proud Of the fact that in Auckland we are quite free from any such thing as Lynch law. No doubt we are right, for Lynch law is a very perilous kind of thing to substitute for the actions of the Courts. But we have no doubt that very many think that it reflects somewhat on the spirit of the men of this community that a foul creature like Hugh Shortland should have been allowed to go about for years past. The evil such a man has it in his power to do is incalculable. He may render many homes miserable, and may ruin young girls by spreading slanders about them. For many wrongs the law gives prompt and ample redress, but for such wrongs as these it is a'most impossible to bring the law to bear. Lynching is perhaps the fittest punishment in such cases, and if Hugh Shortland had been thrashed within an inch of his life no Auckland jury would have punished those who did it if they had been put on their trial. His Honor, indeed, in hie Charge to the jury, said he did not wonder at the indignation manifested in the Court when some of the statements written by Shortland were read, and said it was well we were a law-abiding community. To invoke the law, however, in such cases, is a matter involving much deep concern and much Buffering on the part of those who take action. The young lady who has had the misfortune to be the prosecutrix in the present case has shown great ooursge in taking the steps she Jias done to vindicate herself, and she deserves, and will no doubt receive, the sympathy of the public. The remarks made pn this point by his Honor in passing sentence upon Shortland were ’thoughtful, considerate, and just. The proseentrix was undoubtedly right in doing as she has done ; she has completely set right her own reputation, sullied by being connected with a man known to be vicious, unprincipled, and demoralised, and has rid the community of him, we hope braver,