INCREASE OF CRIME IN POVERTY BAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2104, 1 February 1908, Page 1

INCREASE OF CRIME IN POVERTY BAY.

[To the Editor.] fcsir, —As a- spectator at the Police Court this afternoon, I was greatly

amused at the utterances of the Alagistrate after it was announced th -o 115 cases had been dealt with for tli month. The purport of Air. Barlon’s remarks was that the number was too great for a place like this, but lie admitted they were not of a serious nature. AVell, 1 think all will agree with Air. Barton in his final sentence, and I mako bold to say that- most people are of tho opinion that many of those cases' should never have been brought before the -Court at all. It is now generally understood that a policeman has tlie “big end of the stick,” and that it is nearly always a waste of good money defending a case against . those “clothed with a- little brief authority,” and that is the reason of many contemptible and trivial cases boin<r undefended, and thus •adding to the “crime” list of Poverty Bay, with tho ultimate result that it- keeps many visitors from calling at this port- on account of tho undeserved stigma oast upon us by too-zealons officials—in tbe nay or the general public. Thero is a lot I would like -to say on this subject, but I am writing more in sorrow than in anger.—l am, etc., JUSTICE. Gisborne, Jan. 31.