The Oamaru Mail THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1234, 1 April 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1880.

On* Monday night, at about 12 o'clock, the driver of the trap who had taken several ladies and gentlemen to the entertainment at Teanerala, and was then in the act of taking them home, was stopped in Thames-street by two policemen, who demanded his name, and explained that the cause of their interference was the absence of lights on the trap. They were informed that the lights had been burning during the trip out because they were necessary, the moon not having risen; but that they had not been brought into ! quisition on the return journey because they would only tend to fluster rather than assist the "driver, who could have piloted his vehicle into most intricate places aided by the moon's magnificent rays. The night was just as favorable as" day for driving. With difficulty theses officious policemen were shaken off. They may have been doing their duty, but if "they would turn thenattention to the" disreputable slums which abound in and near Thamesstreet j if they would bring to justice the lewd women who parade their shocking immorality before the eyes of our females and our children, they would be doing something to entitle them to the designation of guardians of the peace and conservators of public morality. Petty interference with pettv offences, or with what are no ; offences at all, is a characteristic that betokens the useless constable, who ' attempts to gain the favor of his superiors and promotion without going through the risks and drudgery of earning them. Driving a vehicle without lights after a certain hour is, of course, a breach of the law, and those who are guilty of it at times when they jeopardise life and limb should be warned, and, if necessary, punished. But policemen should be something more than machines, and not spring from their lair?, upon those who are committing no actual offence,and who,if arranged before the Bench, would undoubtedly be dismissed without suffering anvthing more serious than a caution, when their presence and attentions arc urgently demanded in other quarters. It is seldom that occasion is afforded to complain of the conduct of the police of Oamaru; but the interference of Monday night brought to our recollection scenes that we have our ourselves witnessed times out of number that would have ended in the condign and salutary punishment of the actors had members of the police been attending to their duty. This laxity is rapidly having its effect upon the town. One might, without any great stretch of imagination, at times believe himself in a vast den of infamy when walking our streets. Before the eyes and within the hearing of all, whatever mav be their age or sex, sights and language are paraded that are only fit for the eves and ears of the most depraved. Last Suuday's brutish debauch, and the disturbance" of the peace that arose therefrom, were only a slight agravation of many other scenes that have occurred of a similarly disgraceful kind. The misfortune is that there appears to be 110 method available for improving our social position in this respect. Judging from the penalties that were passed upon the offenders against the public peace and decency on Sunday last, the law seems to be almost powerless in dealing with this growing evil. This is a pity. But we hope that the poiiee will in future use every endeavour to bring such offenders to justice, and that the Bench will be as severe as possible in the administration of the law.