A MARTINBOROUGH COMPLAINT.

NZ Truth, Issue 99, 11 May 1907, Page 6

A MARTINBOROUGH COMPLAINT.

Charge Against Local Police.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— l wish' you would give the following matter publicity m the next issue of your paper. On Saturday last a well-known resident of this town, m the person of Mr Alf. Cleveland, the local tinsmith and plumber, was attacked m a most savage manner by a couple of yahoos, who, I am informed, recently resided at Mount Cook, Wellington. Mr. Cleveland, who is a Tiuiet and respectable citizen, was standing outside, the Martinborough Hotel when these ruffians came up and accused him of taking a ring. Mr Cleveland walked into the hotel followed by these fellows, who proceeded- to "deal it out" to him m the bar. The proprietor, instead of sending for the police, bundled the lot outside, where these human swine pummeled ■ the unfortunate man about m a most brutal fashion. His cries for help brought a well-known resident to his rescue, who pulled them ofi, and ' threatened to give them m Charge of .the police. Mr Cleveland went to the police station and wanted Sheary, the ! policeman stationed here, to arrest the fellows, but he declined to do so .saying that he' (Mi\ Cleveland) had better summon them and engage Mr Logan, the solicitor, to conduct the case for him. It is only very recently that another case very similar to the above occurred here, when a drunken beer "bummer" came up and struck a young man who was standing outside the' Post Office. The young fellow naturally struclcback, when our, local beautiful "mimber of the fooroe" appeared. On the scene and arrested the young fellow. The young : man who was assaulted was a stranger m the town, but the affair was witnessed by a number of persons, and as soon as he was locked up a prominent businessman of this town went and bailed him out. Tlie young chap appeared next day before a couple of "Jay Pays," who fined him £1 for taking his own part. It is about time that we had proper police protection m ' Martinborough, and our local "slop" .only seems fit to run m some harmeless old drunk, or watch tbe hotels to see that they, close up at ten o'oloclk, but .when there is a r©w on, and when he is; wanted to quell.' any . disturbance, he is generally conspicious by his absence. As Martinborough is a rising town, it is about! trime the Department sent an efficient- officer hereto take charge* I will have a lot more t# say m a future issue on this matter.— l am, &C* 1 : ' -RESIDENT. Martiftfcorough', May 8, '07.. , _