CONSTABLE BASHFORD’S ARREST.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1582, 15 March 1879, Page 3

CONSTABLE BASHFORD’S ARREST.

An enquiry was held yesterday morning, before Mr Inspector Hickson, into the alleged refusal of Mounted Constable liaahford to salute Colonel Do Eenzie Brett on the previous day at Malvern. The constable’s statement is as follows :

'I -.vpri' to Malvern for the purpose of attending the licensing n eeting to bo held at, t„ c iJouiiohouae there on the 13th insfc. On his arrival there he w> a informed by Sergeant WbenMev that he was to bo brought before Colonel Brett. The constable went into the Court-house, a R ad Hoard office, with Sergeant Wheatley, who immediately went out».ao to tell Colonel Brett, who came in, and going up to the constable, asked several questions, and the following altercation took place, viz.:— Colonel Brett to Constable—“ Do you know me?”

The Constable —“No, sir.” Colonel —“Don’t you know I am a J.P. ?” Constable—“ No, sir.” Colonel—“ You mean to say you don’t know me ?”

Constable —“ No, sir ; but I believe you are Colonel Brett. I don’t know.”

The Colonel then spoke in such a furious and loud tone that lie was heard fifteen or twenty yards outside the Court-house, as follows :

The Colonel —“ Then I’ll make you know mo. You passed mo three times before, and would not salute me. I’ll make you. I’ll make you salute mo.” The Constable —“ If I knew you I would have saluted you, sir. I have never seen you acting ns a Justice of the Peace, or in any other official way, or I should have known you; neither have I been introduced to you.” The Colonel—“ Do you think that a J.P. is to be introduced to every constable ? If you don’t salute mo I’ll have you kicked out of the force ; I’ll have you kicked out of the force if you don’t.” The Constable —“Then, sir, I decline to salute you. Your conduct is anything but that of an officer and gentleman, and I decline to salute you on those grounds.” The Colonel —“ Then you won’t salute me?”

The Constable—“No, sir. Your conduct is most unbecoming as a Justice of the Peace and gentleman, and I decline to salute you.” The Colonel—“ You won’t ?”

The Constable —“ No, sir.” The Colonel—“ Then consider yourself a prisoner. I’ll have you arrested. Sergeant, arrest that man.”

The Colonel then sat down and again ordered [the Sergeant to “ arrest that man at once,” meaning the constable. The constable was then arrested, and taken outside by the sergeant. Shortly after (four or five minutes) the constable was taken inside, and the following charge read by Sergeant Wheatley to the constable : “ Constable Bashford is arrested for refusing to salute a Justice of the Peace,” and was then taken outside the court again. The constable was in the charge of Sergeant Wheatley from 10.30 a m. to 9 p.m., when lie was released by the inspector, having been brought to Christchurch. After hearing ;the evidence of Sergeant Wheatley the enquiry was adjourned, to enable Colonel Brett to call Mr Mcllraith, J.P., in support of his charge, and also for Constable Bashford to produce two additional witnesses to substantiate his statement.