HER MAJESTY'S PEACE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1138, 2 January 1874, Page 4

HER MAJESTY'S PEACE.

[WES'I'POItT EVENING STAR.]

At this particular season it will, in the nature of things festive, sometimes happen that sundry of Her Majesty's lea! and loyal subjects become " overtaken." Not by good fortune as much as by good liquor, or it may be by liquor that "palters in a double sense," sparkling in the goblet, but still a lurking and insidious enemy. But whatever the cause the effect is the same. The constitutional infirmities of the driukist assert themselves and Be organ of combativeness exerts fell and full influence. At such times the guardians of Her Majesty's Peace find their accustomed leisurely dignity intruded on, and they are no longer permitted to "walk along, jog along serenely on their way," but find it necessary vi ct nrmis, to drag or cajole to the lock-up those who have liquored ,up not wisely but too well. At such times the active exercise of muscular ■Christianity is sometimes needed, and hard knocks are given, and delinquents find themselves suffering both from drink and drubbing, and the morning's reflection, after the midnight spree, finds thorn sore in limbs as sore in disposition. Hence 100 often arises complaints against the guardians of the peace, and rumours derogatory. All of which, if not, sifted at the outset, gather weight, and unhealthily expand until affairs of the most trifling moment become a nine days scandal. An instance of this sort has recently occurred, and has been the subject of official enquiry. The result has proved it td be but a storm in a tea-cup, but still proof has arisen that it is necessary the guardians of the peace should fully comprehend the extent of the discretionary power <mrusted to them, and that the uuiform they wear does

not shiold any too zealous members of the force from the full power cf tl:o law if fcßfey themselves transgress. Tlius it becomes most necessary that any individual, no matter what occasion has brought him under police surveillance, should if he has any cause for complaint, at once inform .the proper authority—the officer of the district. The result in any possible case would be found more satisfactory than any possible good' to arise from the circulation of rumors by word of mouth or auouymous scribbliugs.