Harbak Singh's Bondsmen Prefer Prison Rather than Forfeit Sureties speared before Mr. G. W. King at LIN. Police Court on Wednesday to show cause why they should not We called upon to forfeit the security of $250 which they put up for the good behaviour of Harbak Singh. The recognizance was entered into on January 18, on which occasion Harbak Singh was feted with rose water and garlands by his compatriots and was then bound over to be of good behaviour for two years. Harbak was before the court again on April 22, charged with having broken his bond by. publishing seditious matter and was Sent to prison for two months and ordered to find further sureties, with the alternative of deportation. Hence the present. appearance of the bondsman, Mr. V. Priestwood presented the case on behalf of the Crown Advocate, and called Mr. R. F. lo 'Mesurier, Clerk of the Court, and Mr. E. G. Abbey, Marshal, to prove the facts' stated above.
Massa Singh said they tried to get Harbak to defend himself when ast before the Court, but he refused. His offence, however, was a religious matter, and he did not think any of the. conditions of the bond had been broken.
The Magistrate—Was not there 'a breach of the condition of-"'good behaviour?"
Massa Singh—No.
Tt iwas a religious matter.
The Magistrate—That line of defence is of no use to you." It had nothing to do with religion at all. pellagsa" Singh—He "made "no The Magistrate—I say he did. What you have got to show me is, whether you knew he was going to do it—yes or no?
Massa-Singh—He was not acting against the Government. He only published news which he received from India.
The Magistrate—Did you, know what Massa Singh—Yes, we knew he was going to send out a circular The Magistrate—Very well. Then you have no excuse at all. "When you entered into the recognizance on January 18 it was clearly explained to you what would happen if it were broken, Massa Singh and Nand Singh then said they would be glad if the Magistrate wold send them to the same place as Harbak Singh. They were not afraid to go.
The Magistrate informed the three men that they must each pay $250. The alternative would be, that they would have to go to prison, and he would give them a little time to think over it,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.