'Whilst we find the sister colony stepping forward in the cause of humanity, and expressing its disgust at these continued practices in such strong terms as to work upon its magistrates so as to lead them to become sensible of their effects on the minds of Englishmen, we cannot but animadvert on the cruel and frequent infliction of the "hateful lash" in this colony, more particularly in the township of Newcastle and other inland towns; at Newcastle, the ears of females and its inhabitants are daily pierced by the horrid yells proceeding from poor wretches under its baneful torture - suffering beneath its writhing infliction by a monster in the shape of a man - possessing the strength of Hercules, and the stature of a young giant - scoundrel of the first water, one who has been doubly and trebly convicted; and yet such a miscreant is appointed to scourge his fellow creatures with wanton and cruel exultation. But a few days ago, a poor miserable creature was left for hours in a state of speechless insensibility from the effect of his powerful and accursed arm. Our attention has been called to the conduct of this brute, who, whilst his poor victims are being bound to the fatal triangles, employs himself in the playful amusement of snapping his cats, and trying their efficacy upon some piece of wood close by. Not only ourselves, but the inhabitants also, have observed, with the utmost astonishment, that this scourger is permitted to range about the town, dressed in a better suit of clothes than hundreds of the honest and industrious mechanics or labourers who work for their livelihood. Wherever such a fellow can become possessed of means to enable him to do so, is a question which might reasonable be asked; we can answer this - by pilfering, thieving, and the plunder of such prisoners in the stockade whose friends assist them with small supplies, which this fellow contrives to filch from them'. (Commercial Journal & Advertiser)