A report has been circulated in the city that several proprietors of waggons, etc., intend to take action against engine drivers who allow their locomotives to remain on the crossing in Ratt ray-street. The reason urged why action can be taken is that the Public Works Act only gives the Government power to pass over crossings with engines, but it does not allow them to remain stationary on any crossing whatever. Such au argument may appear all very well on paper, but it is not believed that it would stand good in a Court of law. So far as your corres pondent ha 3 been able to ascertain there appears to be no truth in the report, and it is supposed to be the outcome of a strong imagination. At the City Police Court on Tuesday la3t, Charles D. Hitchcock was charged with having, on the sfch February, unlaw f ull and maliciously written and published a certain false and defamatory libel con cerning Richard Quinn (Secretary of the Benevolent Institution.) The alleged libel was c >ntained in a letter which the accused hal sent to Mr R. B. Martin, in which it was stated that Mr Quinn had committed a rape on a girl fifteen years of age. The evidence having been sub mitted, the accused was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court, bail being allowed — himself in £50, and two sureties of £25 each.
