AN OBSTRUCTION IN LAW.

Evening Star, Issue 2890, 24 May 1872, Page 3

AN OBSTRUCTION IN LAW.

The Southern Cross of li recent date has the following:—There was commotion on both sides, and from one end of Queen* street to the other on Saturday morning, A constable, superbly dressed in a new uniform, was seen with note-book and silver case walking from door to door, and standing opposite to each for some time, during which he was engaged entering memoranda industriously. The nature of these entries was for some time a profound mystery. At last, when the constable had completed his task, the secret was evolved. “Acting upon instructions,” the constable was noting down the articles which tradesmen had S laced outside their windows and shop oors. These were various, “What,” asked an angry, well-known well-to-do draper, “ have you got my name down for ?” “ You, sir,” replied the official, with extreme urbanity, “have got three pairs of men’s trousers, twelve pairs of women’s hose, and several yards of flannel in advance of your premises.” “Well, sir 1 ” replied the iiascible draper, “suppose 1 have, what then ?” “ That, sir, is looked upon as an obstruction.” “But whose way is it in? What harm does it do '} Have they knocked any one down, or tripped anyone up, or spoiled anyone’s clothes, or annoyed anyone, or inconvenienced anyone, or done anything else to anyone?” asked the now very-angry iudeed draper. “ My duty, sir,” rejoined the urbane constable, “ is to consider these things as an obstruction—understand me, air—an obstruction in law—only in law—and I am acting upon orders.” And so it came out that, whatever a man had in front of his door or his window, if it was only oneeighth of an inch thick, it was (officially and legally) an obstruction. The name of the owner was taken down, with an inventory of the “obstructions,” and he will

be summoned for the same, and made to answer thertto. “ I suppose, ” said a remonstrating grocer, pointing to a dentist’s glass case of artificial teeth, suspended to the wall of a chemist’s simp, “ that you call that an obstruction” “ Precisely so,” said the suave and polite functionary, “ that is an obstruction ; I thank you for having pointed it ont to me; it had quite escaped my observation.” We are not informed when these summonses are to “come off,” but local indignation is very strong on the matter, and there c rtainly will be some very strong arguments in demurrer when they are brought before the police court.—Late telegrams from Auckland says the tradespeople have held indignation meetings to consider the matter. i