The important Question

THERE remains the important question, was the accused justified in loading the rifle in the carriage? The Magistrate quotes the opinion of the Officer Commanding the accused's regiment that "the accused was so justified, as he was travelling by night in charge of arms and was responsible for their safe custody," and the statement of the accused himself that "it was his custom to load one rifle under these circumstances," and gives it as his own opinion that it is certainly a necessary precaution. But with all defence to the Magistrate we think it our duty to point out that the matter ought to have been more thoroughly sifted.