CROWDED ELECTION MEETING.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 February 1936, Page 7

CROWDED ELECTION MEETING.

COURT SEQUEL TO REFUSAL TO LEAVE. (Bv Telegraph —Press Association.) " WANGANUI, Last Night. An interesting point was raised at Court this morning, when as a sequel to a meeting addressed by Mr G. W. Forbes in the Regent Theatre on November 12, two business men were charged with failing to comply with the direction of an officer of the Fire Brigade, by refusing to leave the passageway.

The building was overcrowded, and when requested by a constable the defendants refused to leave, and those who had already been removed, crowded back again. Air N. R. Bain, for the defence, contended that under Section 72 of the Fire Brigades’ Act the constable was not an officer authorised by the superintendent, and it was doubtful whether the word “officer” could even include ordinary members of the brigade. The Fire Brigades’ Act was badly drawn, and on the present ease, which was a test, would rest whether an amendment would be necessary. In giving his decision in favour of the Fire Board, the Magistrate said that it would create an anomaly if a lire superintendent had authority over a police constable in time of lire, yot no authority in anticipation of a lire in order to prevent possible loss of life. Accordingly, he would adopt the popular meaning of the word. The defendants were fined 10s with costs.