The Colonist reports that 'Watt's case, which has occupied the Sydney Bench for so many days, has at length been brought to a close'. Most charges against William Watt were dropped; the remaining charge was that Watt had not attended muster for over twelve months (a requirement for ticket-of-leave holders). The Colonist believes that the magistracy showed great patience in this case and asks 'would they have shown equal patience or taken as much trouble with any other ticket-of-leave holder in the colony?' The Colonist answers its own question: 'We think not; but our readers see what it is to be the ticket-of-leave manager of a favouirite paper in this convict-ridden colony.'