A WORD FROM THE PEACEMAKER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1719, 3 April 1888, Page 2

A WORD FROM THE PEACEMAKER.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A.s I have two mouths to spare betore I undertake my Imperial contract, aud as I do not wish my apparatus to get rusty, I shall be glad if you can lay me on to any odd jobs that require my services. Lord John has given in and apologised, so I have let him off with a caution, only he is not to do it again, and I don’t think he will either, because he will never get the chance. But my attention has been called to certain transactions in neighboring localities, and while I am idle I think I shall go and look into things. The first parties that will require my attention (that is after tho J.P.’s) are certain members of a School Committee, who have resigned because they could not get their own way. Well, Mr Editor, I always do that, but at the same time [ don’t think it right to allow others to do so, and when a Chairman resigns within two months of the annual meeting, and no public explanation is given of the reason, I begin to enquire the why and wherefore. Some say the reason the Chairman resigned was because the master belonged to a different denomination to himself; others say he had promised the billet to one of his own brigade, and had promised to make the rest of the Committee agree to his wishes; but I don’t know at present which of the yarns to believe, only I am going to take up my residence at Winchester, and if I hear anything further I will let you know. I have also been requested to take my tools to Q-eraldine, as certain members of the Road Board have resigned, I suppose, as usual, because they could not get their own wuy. However, I intend to take that district on my rounds, and you may believe me that wherever I go the remaining inhabitants will always remember the visit of The Peacemaker.

[Friend, on account of the implement you use in your pious calling, we deem it advisable to address you in a conciliatory tone. The resignations at Geraldine are devoid of interest, and as you have determined to reside at Winchester you will know all about that locality. Please pardon us for doubting your assertion that Lord John has given in. If we dared to contradict so dreadful a person as yourself wo should bo tempted to say you were overawed by bis “ augustness ”; that you were, in fact, frightened by the heaviness of the motal you had attacked, and caved in. —The Editor.]

AN EXPLANATION,

TO THE editor,

Sie, —I take the liberty of asking you to publish this letter, as it is the only means available to me of placing before the public certain facts, which in the interests of others and myself I think it well that they should know. On March 14th, Mr T. Powell was charged at the E.M. Court, Temuka, with being drunk while-in charge of a vehicle, and with resisting the police while in the execution of their duty. He admitted the drunkenness, but said that he had no recollection of other occurrences, and could therefore offer no defence. As a consequence a conviction was recorded and a fine inflicted. I was at the same time charged with being drunk, with using profane language, and with obstructing the police. In my case the drunkenness was admitted, but the other charges were denied. However, the evidence adduced was conclusive to the Magistrate’s mind, and I was convicted and fined. I wish now to make a brief statement of the actual facts of the case. On the 13th March, I, being perfectly sober, drove Mr Powell’s cart from Arowhenua to Temuka. Mr Powell was asleep in the bottom of the cart. At the !’emuka Hotel I stopped for a glass of ale, and left the horse and cart in charge of Powell’s son, who • is a capable lad. While I was inside the hotel (about ten minutes) Constable Craham came up, spoke to the boy, pinched Powell to try and wake him, and .then drove him to the lock-up. He made no enquiry as to whether any other person was in charge of the cart. The boy informed me of the occurrence, and I followed the cart down the street. On the way Powell awoke, and atttempted to get out of the cart. A struggle ensued, and I asked the constable not to abuse him (Powell) as he was my friend, and at the same time I advised Powell to go quietly. While I was speaking the Constable was being forced by Powell over the side of the cart, and I pushed him back. In his evidence the constable said that I attempted to pull him out. Had I wanted to do so, from the purchase I had nothing could have saved him. At about 6 o’clock I asked for Powell’s release on bail when sober. This was refused, nor was I allowed to remove tfla horse and cart. At tips time no charge of obstruction was made against me, although the alleged offence had then been committed. At about 9.80 the same evening I was arrested, and my wife was distinctly told that the charge was one of drunkenness qnly. brought in,to Court I found the, other charges tacked on. Under the circumstances little opportunity was given me of defending myself. Witnesses who could have put matters

in a different light could not be called, and on the cut and dried evidence of the police undone other witness I was convicted on every charge. This does not appear to me to be strictly fair. In the first place I maintain that the constable exceeded his duty when he arrested Powell, who at the time was; not in charge of the cart. The charge | against him was certainly a false one. j In my own case it seems to, me that j the charge of obstruction was an afterthought, or why was it not laid before ? Had it been I should have had an opportunity of preparing my defence. /Vs it was, at the very last moment I was charged with a whole calendar of offences, and no time was given me even to engage counsel. Unskilled in legal forms, and dazed from previous excitement, I was not in a position to arrange for a fair statement being laid before the Magistrate. Had a decent warning been given me I have no doubt but that a very different complexion could have been put upon the affair. I should, like also to draw attention to our treatment in the lock-up. Prom the time of our arrest until the following day, when we were released (about 11 a.m.), we had neither bite nor sup, not even a drink of water. Surely some provision is made by Government for this. Apologising for trespassing on your space, I am, etc., E. P.