THE BYE-LAWS.

Evening Star, Issue 4271, 3 November 1876, Page 4

THE BYE-LAWS.

To the Editor. Sir,—Believing that you are ever ready to give publicity to any grievance of general interest, I venture (with your permission) to draw attention to the following : On the 25th of last month, my son was wheeling in some manure for our garden, when a person came to him and asked his name. Shortly after, without any previous caution or warning, he and the person supposed to have laid down the manure were summoned to appear at the Court, charged with willfully crossing the footpath with a barrow, contrary to the 3rd bye-lay of the City Council. Now, Sir, Ido not think this officer (for such I take him to be) could have charged himself with any neglect of duty had he come to the lad, and asked him if he was aware that he was acting contrary to the City byelaws, and told him if he found him at the like again he would summon him. Indeed, that he should caution, before summoning, seems to me to be nothing more than every citizen has a right to expect from him, as we do not all know the laws. I feel sure that all the laws are intended for the protection of the citizens, but carried out in this highhanded manner, the word oppression suggests itself very strongly to one's mind as a more appropriate term. For the past seven years I have been in the habit of wheeling in manure openly and without fear. Now, I do not think this like the action of a person knowing that he was breaking the law, nor yet the way that laws are generally broken. —I am, &c, • , A. B. Dunedin, November 2.