' A "Mounted's" Mistake.

NZ Truth, Issue 443, 13 December 1913, Page 2

' A "Mounted's" Mistake.

Alleged Dismissal for Misconduct.

On Thursday of last week, Mrs. Roberts, the wife of thj well-known ex-footballer "Cocky" Roberts, went to Mr. Marshall's, coal merchant, Arthurstreet, with an order. On leaving Mr. Marshall's place she saw Mr. Read, whom she knew, painting Mr. Marshall's house. She estopped at the fence a moment to speak to Mr. Read, and while doing so a special constable came up behind her and spoke to her m insinuating language. She turned round and saw the special constable and immediately ordered him to go away, as she wasn't what he took her for. He still remained, :iowever, and Mr. Read jumped the fence and came to Mrs., Boberts's assistance. The special then made off up the street. On reaching home Mrs. Roberts informed her husband of what had occurred, lie decided to at once report the matter at Mount Cook Barracks. He called ton Mr. Read, and that gentleman thereupon accomoanled Mr. jand Mrs. Roberts to < the barracks. Before being allowed to enter the barI racks he had to explain the nature of his business to the corporal of the guard. This officer, on hear."ngr hi 3 statement, said he was glad Mr. Roberts had come direct to headquarters, and that it was time, a lot of these "MOUNTBDS" WERE CLEARED OUT. This gentleman took the little party inside and introduced' them to the officer m charge. After making thsir statement of what had occurred, their names and addresses >wero taken, and the officer promised that, an investigation would 'oe made, the complainants promising to come and identify the man if called on. They then left As they passed the Royal Tiger Hotel, on their way home, the "mounted" who had committed the assault came out of that hotel m a drunken condition. Mrs. Roberts nnd Mr. Read immediately recognised him. "Cocky" went lack to the sentry and the corporal come down and arrested the fellow, the little party accompanying them back to the barracks, where the special was brought before the officer In charge. He turned out to be one Bradley, of G Company, and ho admitted the charge. At this stage the officer said ho could do nothing more m the^inatter as ! BRADLEY HAD BEEN DISCHARGED from his company that morning. It is to bo hoped that the John Department, which is now bo busy framing up cases against men prominent m the ranks of the locked-out watorslders, will spare v little of their tlmo I and .energy m running to earth tho many undesirables now In tho ranks of tho special constables, and who, under'the protection their position gives them, are making themselves not only a nuisance, but a danger to tho feminine portion of tho community living In tho vicinity of tho streets through which they have to pass coming: from or going to' tho barracks. From his own observation, "Truth's" rep. is convinced that tho specials can got drunk, and wander about tho streets In a drunken condition, with Impunity, but It Is surely beyond tho limit to allow them the same latitude m thoir Jnsult- ! Ing behavior towards respectable married women and young girls! Justice, we are told, la blind. This may or may not be so. What we aro certain \of is that so far as the lawless acts iof special constables aro concerned tho JoJin 'Ops and tho ofllcora of Justice are blind— stono blind.