CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 4

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Justices Urge Reinstatement At the annual meeting of the North Otago Justices of the Peace Association held yesterday afternoon a remit to the annual conference was passed that, owing to the increase in crime throughout the country, the Government be requested to reinstate corporal and capital punishment. Other remits forwarded to the conference last year were reaffirmed, urging that more severe penalties be imposed for car conversion and for riding bicycles on footpaths and without lights at night. Mr J. W. Petrie, the president, was in the chair and also present were Messrs H. Lory (Livingstone), W. C. Burdett (Weston), J. D. Hepburn (Moeraki), R. L. Ledingham (Georgetown), A. Rapson (Ngapara), W. ,1. Campbell (Awamoa), H. C. Allen (Enfield), W. G. Salmon (Otekaike), A. L. Murray (Tokorahi), N. H. Colquhoun, J. L. McPhail, T. H. Russell, T. I. McGregor, J. M. Forrester, and S. H. Cradock (Oamaru), and A. W. Woodward (honorary registrar). The annual report and balance sheet were adopted and the following officers were elected: Patron, Mr J. D. Willis, S. president, Mr N. H. Colquhoun; vice-presidents, Messrs J. L. McPhail and T. I. McGregor; executive —Messrs W. C. Burdett, T. H. Russell, H. C. Jeffery, J. Gerrie, W. J. Campbell, A. L. Murray, and S. M Taylor; honorary registrar. Mr A. Woodward; delegate to the annual conference, Mr N. H. Colquhoun. Two new members were elected. Votes of thanks and appreciation were accorded the clerk of the court and the police for their assistance, and to the retiring president and executive. Members were later the guests of the newlyelected president at afternoon tea.