A J.P. STANDING ON HIS DIGNITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 118, 26 March 1879, Page 2

A J.P. STANDING ON HIS DIGNITY.

The eccentric Colonel Brett, Justice of Peace for Malvern, gave a mounted constable in charge for neglecting to salute him. The constable was in charge from half-past ten in the morning until nine in the evening. He was taken to Christchurcli in custody of a sergeant, and 011 arrival in town was immediately released by the Inspector,

From the inquiry instituted, it appears that Constable Bashford was attending a licensing meeting at Malvern when "he was placed under arrest at the instance of Colonel Brett. This is his account of the dialogue that proceeded'his arrest:—'" Do you know me?—No, sir. Don't you know that I am a J.P.-No, sir. You mean to say you don't know mo'l-No, sir; but I believe you are Colonel Brett. I don't know." At this stage the Colonel raised his voice, and in a furious tone, which was heard more than fifteen yards outside the Courthouse, " Then I'll mako yon know me. _ You passed me three times before, and would not salute me. -If I knew you I would have saluted you, sir. _ I have never seen you acting as a justice of the peace, or in any other official way, or I should have known you: neither have I been introduced to you. Do you think that a J. P. is to be introduced to every constable! If you don't salute me I'll have you kicked out of the force ? —Then, sir, I decline to salute you. Your conduct is anything but that of an officer and a gentleman, and I decline to salute you on these grounds. Then you won t salute me!—No, sir. Your conduct is most unbecoming as a justice of the peace and gentleman; and I decline to salute you. You won't I—No, sir. Then consider yourself a prisoner, I'll have you arrested. Sergeant, arrest that man," That mail was arrested and detained in custody for eleven hours for " refusing to ■ salute a justice of the peace." He has instituted an action for false iinprisonmen t against the lion, and gallant gentleman.