POLICE OFFENCES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18217, 3 October 1919, Page 6

POLICE OFFENCES.

NEW PROVISIONS. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, October 2. Motorists who have suffered from "joy-ride" appropriation of curs will welcome a provision in the Police Offences Act Amendment Bill, introduced by the Minister of Justice. To tako or convert to use any horse, mo-tor-car or other vehiclo, launch or other vessel, unlawfully but not so as to bo guilty of theft within the meaning of the Crimes Act, is mado an offence punishable by a Cue of £lO or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months. A caso which caused somo comment during the licensing election is recalled by section 4, which makes it an offence to issuo or exhibit any document which is intended, or likely by reason of its wording or appearance or in any other manner, to cause any person or the public to believe contrary to fact that such document is an official document, or that it is or contains a copy of or extract from an official documant, or that it sets forth the substance of an official document. It is mado an offence punishable by imprisonment for three months or a fine not exceeding £3OO to incite, encourage or procure disorder, violence or lawlessness. The Police Offences Act with respect to cruelty to animals is extended to include overloading, overriding and overdriving. It also makes it an offonco for any owner to permit an animal to bo ill-treated or to cause any unnecessary suffering by wanton omission or commission of any act. The definition of "public place" is extended to include telephone cabinets. It is mado an offence for any unauthorised person to use or wear any military decoration, medal, clasp, badge.'ribbon, stripe, emhlem or any decoration so nearly resembling a military decoration as to be calculated to deceive or for any person without lawful authority to sell such decoration to ■xnv person not authorised to use or wear "it. Ordinary regimental badges are excluded. The penalty is fixed at a fine not exceeding £2O or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.