THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, March 19, 1861. THE ARMS ACT^IMPORTANT NOTICE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1506, 19 March 1861, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, March 19, 1861. THE ARMS ACT^IMPORTANT NOTICE.

In compliance with the desire of several traders, who are solitious to know their position under the above Act, we proceed to state the conditions imposed on all

classes in the colony, by the Governor's proclamation bringing the Act into opertion from the 20 th February last. Although all the clauses of the Bill as first introduced, compelling the public to register every Arm or part of an Arm, &c, were, thanks to Mr. Brandon's expose of their intolerable hardship, struck out ; yet there are most string nt penalties imposed upon all persons contraven- . ing not only the letter but the spirit of the Act, as well as upon those who are merely dealers — the term " dealer " including all who make or repair, as well as those who buy and sell.

There are three kind of licenses — to sell to a particular person ; to make, repair, amend, and deal generally for a given period; and to import, tranship, land, or dispose from a ship. These licenses are issued under the authority of the Governor, at the present time by Mr. Carkeek in Wellington, and, v<e foelieye, by Captain Sharp, in Wanganui. The Governor^, is authorised to issue Regulations for the stamping or marking of Arms, when first imported, or in the stock of a dealer, and also for the Registration of their sale or transfer ; but as such Regulations have not yet been issued, we do not allude to any of the conditions thereunder.

Any person desiring to become licensed to sell, make, repair, &c, must apply to the Licensing Officer, accompanying such application with a list of all arms, ammunition, &c, in his possession. The Licensing Officer, or any one authorised by him in writing, is at liberty to enter the premises of such applicant to search and compare the statement with the actual stock. Incorrectness on the part of the applicant involves him in a fine not exceeding £100. To sell, make, repair, &c, import, or land from a ship without a license, constitutes a misdemeanour, — all misdemeanours under this*Act being punishable with imprisonment not exceeding thrjs years, and to a fine not exceeding £500, at the discretion of the Judge. To make, repair, &c, at any other place, than the place of business mentioned in the License, is also a misdemeanour,

All persons who shall do any of the following things, without first obtaining a License, are liable to the penalties above mentioned as attaching to a misdemean-

our : —

(1.) Removing or assisting to remove from one place -to another, either by cart or vessel, any arms, ammunition, &c, (except for personal use). Carters, carriers, and masters of small craft shouldespecially note this. (2.) Haying more than ten lb. weight of gunpowder ; . or, being dealers, having more than fifty lb. weight or a greater number of arms than allowed by their licenses.

(3.) Anything to contravene the spirit of the Act.

~ All persons selling or giving away arms, gunpowder, $c, to any one whomsoever, without obtaining a License, are made guilty of felony. The punishment for a felony under the Act, is penal servitude for any term not exceeding six nor less than three years. This clause affects the the public most seriously, and requires all persons to be upon their guard, as no discretion is, given to the judge to allow ignorance of the law or other extenuating circumstances as an excuse for any unfortunate offender being let off with less than three years penal servitude. Ship masters are to report arms, Jcc. in their possession on arrival, and if at any time they have a less quantity than they ought to t have, are liable to a penalty not exceeding £500. Any one belonging to a coaster — master or man—receiving arms, &c, while in harbour, or from a ship at sea, without being licensed to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanour. Any Justice of the Peace, on information on oath, can grant a warrant to enter and search any house, ship; &c, and any person may seize or apprehend any person committing any offence under the Act; but all prosecutions for felony or misdemeanour must be commenced by an Officer authorised for that purpose.