POLICE BUNGLING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 128, 21 July 1870, Page 5

POLICE BUNGLING.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Sir, — Will you be good enough to insert the following in your paper. About a fortnight ago I was apprehended by a member of the Lawrence police force, on a charge of being principally concerned in a late robbery at Waikouaiti. I was brought before the magistrate at Lawrence, and remanded to Dunedin for identification. As soon as I reached Dunedin, the constable was informed that I was not the individual they wanted. The man they wanted was said to be much older than me, and an Englishman. Any one whoever heard me speak might have known that [ belonged to Scotland. Well, I was brought before the magistrate in Dunedin to get my discharge, and then brought back to Lawrence, but further the authorities would not carry me. The police system of the province has been much praised, but if my case is a specimen of its working, it is altogether rotten. Fancy a man's character to be at the mercy of an illiterate bobby ! The description given was an old man, and an Englishmen. I corresponded in no way whatever with the description given, unless by name ; and yet I have been subjected to contumely and disgrace through some blundering Dunedin official, coupled with the .... trooper referred to above, whose anxiety to get a conviction ha 3 blinded his eyes and shut his ears. To add insult to injury, the authorities in Lawrence have refused to return me to Tapanui, where they took me from ; and it was only as a great obligement I got a shake-down at the camp the night 1 got back to Lawrence. In these few lines I have related an incident in the working of our wonderful police force, the recital of which, I hope, will cause some enquiry at head-qu.orters. If it has any good result, pei haps the martyrdom to which I have been subjected, all from having a name similar to another man's, will not be forgotten. — I am, &c., William Miller. Lawrence, July 18th, 1870.