"A SHEER ACT OF VANDALISM ON YOUR PART."

Evening Star, Issue 8773, 14 March 1892, Page 4

"A SHEER ACT OF VANDALISM ON YOUR PART."

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,— Such were the words made use of by the local justices of the peace in sentencing the country thieves who were cleverly arrested on the sth by Constable Cooney on a charge of stealing flowers from the iron enclosure in the north-eastern part of the Ootagcn Reserve. Not wishing to expostulate much on the matter, I merely ask: Has the constable’s brave and daring act in the performance of his midnight duty single-handed been appreciated by being handed the suitable reward he so justly merits? Echo answers “ He has got nothing,” It is a well-known fact, Mr Editor, that the act of stealing flowers and fruit in private gardens, flowers in public gardens, and flowers off graves in the two cemeteries has been a practice undetected for a long time, and it is now to be hoped that a suitable reward will be handed to Constable Cooney for his arrests, and that such will have the effect of inducing his comrades in the force to go and do as he has done when cause may arise. The constable had a difficult task set out to effect the arrest—viz., there were three to one, two inside an iron fence three feet high, another one outside, himself encumbered with heavy cloth coat, lantern, baton, handcuffs; and, lastly, the intimidating threat thrown at him: " Yon will have a big show of taking the three of ns.” In the faee of all this he brings his men bravely to justice. Well done, Constable Cooney; may we continue to have many like yon to protect ns.—l am, etc., William Oem, Punedin, March 13.