CONFUSION WORSE CONFOUNDED.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 60, 26 July 1879, Page 2

CONFUSION WORSE CONFOUNDED.

In previous issues we referred to some of the absurdities of the Arms Act, and showed, that, the written letter of the Statute wg,a at v^riaAce with the in"structions given to the Police. Since we last wrote upon the subject a few more eccentricities m connection with, the working of the Act have come to our knowledge, which we. publish as some of the curiosities of legislation. It will be remembered that one of the nlorekeepers, Mr. T?EBGvaoit, made application for certain licenses to the Customs authorities m Wanganui., To this a reply was received intimating that as the original license to deal had been taken out m Wellington, the ap^ plication would have to be made there. Acting upon these insitruotica^s Mr. FKHGUBOK; next applied to head-quar-ters, forwarding the names and monej for the Beveral licenses. After the usual delay a reply came to hand intimating that as Foxton had been declared a Port of Entry, the matter was m the province of the newly- appointed agent m that town, and directing application to that gentlemen, but conveniently forgetting to refund th« amount of fees which/had been forwarded. Determined to have a personal interview with the authorised official, and if possible obtain some insight into the Intricacies of the provisions of the Act, Mr. Ebrchtsok wemt to the expense and inconvenience of a journey to Foxton. Would it be believed that upon stating tbecase to Mr. Buegbss, the Customs officer, that gentleman stated distinctly that such a roundabout course as hat been taken was quite unnecessary, and that- it was perfeotly en regie for the dealer to sell the powder and forward the names and license feel afterwards. Although he was informed that the Police argued to the contrary, and m fact, that it was for doing exactly so that Mr. Snblson had been committed for trial, Mr. Bub&ess still maintained that his readingjDf^j^Act.wai correct -r>ot*u mined, to Di'ing matters to a crisis, and to be on the sure side Mr. Fehgu--Bon requested the officer to give him a Written itatenient to that effect, but pradence came to tha rescue, and Mr. Buegess refused to do so, pleading as an excuse that he could not give a written document, except m reply to a written application. Under the circumstances, then, the unfortunate dealer had to return as he. went, with •no greater satisfaction than knowing that his time and money had been expended on a wild-goose chase; Kow for a few of the inconsistencies.. In the first place it seems strange that Mr, JjtTNDON, the official at Wanganui, could not give the necessary authority because the license had been taken out at Wellington, and yet upon application to the latter place, Mr. Feegusoin should be referred to Foxton, where the. same objection could be made by Mr. BtTßGttss. .• Then, again, acceding to the •pinion reigning m Wanganui, ammunition should not be parted with by the dealer until the license has been received; while the Foxton official ppoh-pooohed such a, oonstrnotion of the Act, and ridiculed the, idea of tho Police taking action m the m.^tter. Can anyone possibly iroagina a greater absurdity'than suoh conflicting opinions between officers who are • supposed to administer the law m proper form ? In the particular case; tinder notice no less than seven settlers ms de application for the purchase* of blasting and o^her. i po wder, which probably was requ|ije.d\ for immediate use, and close upon a month elapses before th* certificated officials can make up their minds as to ; the course to pu,rsue, . It maybe — as th« Police aasert-~-tiiat the 23rd Clause, which states that the permit of a Jusv ttce of the Peace is sufficient, is to be ignored, but if so, w» would like to learn. by, whoge autkonty, or by what Act 6f the Legislature*? It is not asserted that there has been any legislation subsequent to that of 1869, and we would defy anyone to quote from that Act that application to the Customs is afc all necessary. . Had the clause been repealed, or if it is to be, then we say, appoint the resident clerks ©f courts the, persons through whom licenses should be issued,, and make a personal application a sine qua non. By this, course a thorough test of the bana fides. of the applicant would be obtained, the spirit pif the. Act complied with, and the un^tunaW rdealers ispared ; the world o.f worry and reign, of terror from which they have suffered since the first of ihe Native ,scare» : AipeK son requictn© -ammunition should then go to the clerk, , or w-hoever* els.c was authorised, make his demand, pay his fee, receive nis license, ;^aud then reIpairiHg to the dealer, hand m his per'miit,.and receive tha ppwdjar. , This would not on}y be a saving* of time, a savingoftroublenS-par^ the dealer. un- ; necessary worry and annoyance, but, as we have said, it would be^orfe of the surest safeguards against the dangerous comraoditf getting injo the hands of iniscrupulbus person- As matters are at present, no two officials construe the. Act m; the same manner, -and the only way out of the hopeless muddle, and to secure spmetliin^ like unanimity, would be tdppeii a school of instrac-* tion, having teachers whose opinions