CORRESPONDENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 54, 1 November 1907, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —It is with great reluctance that I take up the duty of making a complaint through the press with regard to the conduct of any public official, but hold it to be the duty of every good citizen to protest against the violation of the liberty of reputable people, as long as they are acting in a legitimate manner. A glaring case in point happened at Te Kuiti last week at the annual social of the Maniapoto Rugby Union, when the police attempted (without invitation) to inflict their company upon the assembly. Fortunately the organising of the social was in capable hands, and the promoters had sufficient grit and common sense to resist such an action on the part of the presumptuous officials. Things are in a very bad way when we are forced to take our pleasures under police surveillance, and the public that will sit quietly, under such an infliction, deserve no better treatment. I have gone to the trouble to obtain information on the subject and most emphatically state that such a piece of impertinence and unwarrantable interference has never before been experienced in any British country. The Maniapoto Rugby Union promoted a social for the presentation of caps to the winners of their championship for the past season. As is well known the Union officials are men of standing and integrity, who would not further any questionable undertaking. In proof of this the Secretary approached the local constable and informed him fully of what was intended, including the fact that a certain quantity of liquor would be supplied at the social. Under the circumstances one would have thought that the constable would have acted in as courteous and considerate a manner as was consistent with his duty. Perhaps he did do so, but in that case the officer's conception of courtesy and duty must have been seriously damaged during the course of his public life. On the evening of the social two other police officers were imported from Otorohanga, and as the entertainment was about to start Constable Mathew, accompanied by his brother officers, arrived and demanded,admittance. The constable was informed that he could enter and look round the hall if he wished, but must depart immediately, as his company was was not desired at the social. Also, he could return at any time for the same purpose if his duty led him that way ; not otherwise. This was surely a plain enough statement, and any reasonable man would have recognised that it was not made without consideration. However, our brilliant Dogberry insisted, and only retreated upon compulsion, at the same time threatening to return armed with authority. Apparently the necessary warrant was unobtainable, though it is well-known every effort was made to induce the available Justices to sign a warrant. The fact of being unable to obtain the consent of a Justice to assist in his prepostorous course should surely impress Constable Mathew with the fact that his conduct was ill-advised, and it is to be hoped he will admit it to be so in the interests of society in general. I have no feeling about the matter except from the standpoint of the public good, and recognise that if such actions are to be perpetuated Te Kuiti will be a very undesirable place to live in. —I am, etc., ZEALANDIA.

[We have received several letters on the subject referred to above, but as they all deal in the same manner with the matter it is unnecessary to publish them. —Ed. K.C.C.]