POLICE OFFENCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1924, Page 1

POLICE OFFENCES.

EXTENDED POWERS. WELLINGTON. July 18,

An amendment of tin* Police Offences Act introduced by Governor-Gen-eral’s message in the House to-day is on the lines of the Bill introduced last session, but numbered, as the Hon C. J. Parr, Minister of Justice, explained. among the slaughtered innocents. Its main features deal with tin extension of the law relating to motor thefts and to Sunday trading. The original penalty for Sunday trading was a maximum of £l. but the Bill provides for a £5 maximum as penalty for any person who in view of a public place works at hi* trade or calling, or who keeps open any place for the purpose of trailing. Works of necessity arc excluded, these including transport and sale of milk and production of newspapers. while harbors are exempt until !) a.in.

Any person who without colour of right uses a motor-car or vessel under circumstances which cannot be regarded as theft, w.ithin the meaning of tlie Crimes Act is liable to line of £2<b and in addition to pay a. similar amount as eompensal ion for any damage resulting from unlawful use. This does not relieve l tlie offender of liability of civil action for recovery of damages in excess of £2B.

The definition of ‘‘public place,” when dealing with indecency and vagrancy olfeiKos, is extended to include any place open io or used by the public, whether on payment of money or otherwise.

Tl':> vagrancy y::s t:;ni is extended to include any person found by night without lawful exi use (the onus of winch shall I:? upon him) in any building. enclosed area or any vessel. If no criminal intent is disclosed the maximum penalty is £1!) or three months' imprisonment. (■’renter power is given constables to search for pillaged fiends and magistrates are empowered to summarily coot Y t in (ii«es where persons have incurred credit not exceeding £o!) by means of fraud, the penalty being three months’ imprisonment or a fine of £2O. Tie definition of ‘‘public place" in connection with insulting behaviour, which was narrow in the principal Act. is low extended to include "in or in view of any public place." Kines recovered in respect of offences of eruelty to animals are to lie paid to any society which institutes proceedings. Tim Minist-r of .IV«tii- explained to the House that although boxing contests have been under police control wrestling contests have not, been subject to supervision. The Hill will remedy this doi'teiency. .Mr Wilfcrd asked if any clause deals with drivers of motor-ears under the iuHnciice of 1 iij m: The Minister replied that this would he the subject of a clause in the Motor Vehicles Bill.