BOROUGH BYE-LAWS AND THE POLICE.

Thames Star, Issue 3342, 8 September 1879, Page 3

BOROUGH BYE-LAWS AND THE POLICE.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—When the police have nothing else to do tbey bring a charge against some citizen for a breach of a Borough Bye-law. In my case the charge usually is leaving cab unattended. It is in vain that I keep a quiet horse. It is in vain that I can point to many years on the road during which my horse never has endangered the public. It is in vain that I iecure my horse so that he cannot run away. The law, or those who enforce and interpret the law, hold that the charge is made, the offence proved, punishment muit follow, Several months ago a young

constable reported me to the Inspector on the charge of leaving a cab unattended. I had left my • cab with the wheel chained or secured, as I have been ia the habit of doing for over four years previously. I had left it for the purpose of obtaining necessary food. The Inspector gent for me and informed me that I had been guilty of a breach of the Bye-law No. 3, section 40, by leaving my cab unattended, and he informed me .that chaining the wheel was no excuse, but ho would look over the offence as I had been labouring under a misapprehension that I was complying with the law. Previous to this, when desirous of leaving my cab, I was in the habit of chaining my wheel not to protect the public or myself from any danger from my horse, but to protect myself,from the risk of being summoned by'the police for a breach of this vexatious Bye-law. In conversation with the Inspector of Police, I pointed out to him the hardship that I was exposed to. The Inspector told me that if the law was oppressive that I ought to endeavor to get it altered. I adopted hit advice. The Mayor promised me to bring the matter before the Borough Council, and endeavor to get it amended. He did so, and some days afterwards informed me that it would give a great deal of trouble,, time, and expense-to alter the Bye-law. The ■frfensequence of this is, that I have, on an pWvSsrage, lost five shillings per week ever since, as I am compelled to go home to get my evening meal; to unharness and then harness up again after ted. It was in vain that I pleaded this on Saturday last to the Justices. A police sergeant held up a book to show that I had been robbed in that Court.on a previous occasion. Of course I was fined and cast in costs. Now, I maintain that the Byelaw needs amendment, and that the police system needs reformation also. If the police force requires to be kept up by obtaining convictions against the citizens for breaches of the Borough Bye-laws, it is evident that a very great reduction of the police force could be easily effected. It is the opinion of many citizens that a sergeant and four. men. are quite enough to meet the requirements of this place. If a police officer is over-zealous to make cases, the public should petition for his removal. This would encourage the decent members of the force.—l am, Ac, Geoboe Vidal.