A POLICEMAN'S PREDICAMENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12686, 13 February 1912, Page 5

A POLICEMAN'S PREDICAMENT.

. ~«i (Special to .the Herald;) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. A rather peculiar, position has arisen m regard to the election of the Temuka Licensing Committee, which plaoes Constable Booth, Avho is m charge of the district, m a quandary. Amongst his multifarious offices he occupied the position of returning officer to the Temuka Licensing Committee, and the election session has noAv arrived. He has received notice from official quarters tliat he must perform the duty, and supply the local authority Avith an estimate of the cost of the election. The local authority on the occasion is the Geraldine County Council, and that august body has gone on strike. There is only one public- house m this district, and they have struck against being liable for the expense of the election. This places Constable Booth m a very awkward fix. If he proceeds with the election he will be liable for the expenses, and as the license fees go to the local bodies, he has no funds on which to draAv. The position Avill become intricate if he goes on AA r ith the election and he is sued for the expenses. First he is clerk of the court, and. must take out a summons against himself. The Magistrate cannot refuse to give judgment; and then, as he is bailiff Of the court, he must execute the judgment against himself. Then, if m the execution of his duty as bailiff, he happens to be resisted and assaulted, he, being a policeman, must go to his OAvn assistance. Truly Constable Booth is to be pitied, for at present he is considerably mixed up amongst his numerous duties. ' '