THE LATE CASE POLICE v. HARTE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1464, 6 February 1886, Page 2

THE LATE CASE POLICE v. HARTE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — As your papers have been full of the ludicrous side of this case, I think it might be as well to inform your readers and the public of the serious side of it. As your readers are aware, the unfortunate defendant was requested by Messrs Siegert and Fauvel to put a distinguishing mark on certain cattle. This was done, and I maintain is done in every cattle yard in the world, although occasionally, as in every other sort of marking (whether ear-marking or branding) the operation is more severe than was intended. Had Mr Siegert insisted that the cattle should have been both ear-marked and branded—the latter the most cruel method of all marking -nothing could have been done, is the law provides that stock shall be so marked. And now, to follow on :Mr Harte then went home, and in a few moments after was astonished to see a constable marching up. The said constable at once ordered him to accompany him to the stat'on, would not allow him to leave a message for his wife, who is in a most delicate state of health, nor oven close the door of his house. He was then taken to the police station and formally arrested. Age, height even, taken ; even talked of searching ; i suppose to find the knife that committed this cruel deed, (1 am verging on the ludicrous.) Now, Mr Editor, we call ourselves Englishmen, and say that we live in a free country, I think I may well say “ say," for in no other country in the world would such an arrest have been made. If the provisions of this new Police Act are to be carried out it is absolutely necessary that the public, through their representatives, should insist that those who are deputed to carry it out, should be efficient men, and those ■ who show themselves so thoroughly inefficient at once removed to some lower sphere of action, whore there will be less danger of their making such lamentable blunders. I say lamentable, as in this case the consequences have so turned out; as, though not personally acquainted with any of the patties, 1 am informed by a medical man that this arrest has brought on the recurrence of a serious brain trouble from which Mr Harte has been free for several years. Apologising to you, Mr Editor, for trespassing so much upon your space, I am etc,, Justitu. Terauka, Feb. 4, 1886.