POLICE V. LANGLEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 181, 26 June 1862, Page 5

POLICE V. LANGLEY.

V o the Editor of the Ijailv Times. Sir, — Happening accidentally to be in Court yesterday during the hearing ofthe above case, I.was struck very forcibly with Otngo justice aud Duuedin police regulations. I do not know either of.thei parties concerned, but f cannot help thinking that your report tiiis morning is .rather one sided, and not such as would throw a favorable light on tho defendant's case. From, what came out in evidence, I opined that the defendant was stopped by two constables, in whose evidence I noticed either a great difference of opinion or of facts, that he was locked up on a charge of " suspicion of being in possession ot stolen goods," but that charge was never gone ioto, and the luckless driver was fined a pounii and costs on an apparently after thought and trumped up charge of .abusive language, &c. 1 was struck with one or two points in the ease; firstly, it appeared odd that the original charge book, on which the first charge was entered, was not produced, although applied for by Langley's solicitor; secondly, I was astonished at the law laid down by Mr. Strode and Mr. Sub-Inspector -Weldon, to tlie effect that the police are justified in stopping everybody who may be carrying a bundle, or even a coat, after chirk. Ido not think even Sir Richard Mayne's boys are favored with such.unlimibed carte blanche, and it seems that any discrepancy in the. evidence given by constables (unlike thatofsly groginformers),is taken no notice of. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, Listener. Dunedin, 25th June,-1852.