A CONSTABLE’S DILEMMA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2674, 2 December 1909, Page 2

A CONSTABLE’S DILEMMA.

:7. SHUT OUT OF POLICE STATION.

Consternation went through the whole of the Taumarunui town one day last week, when it was reported that the local constable, had been prevented from getting access to his office, and to the place where criminals are depositedrfor the time being, by a fence having been placed across bis track. The'officer of the law had been through the town attending to Lis duties, and on iiis return to Ins office was confronted with a fence across the track,; and had lie attempted to cross it, he, like others, would have been subject to the penalties of what his coat represented. Besides tlio constable, members of tlio tennis club, who had flirranged a match, were hurrying by way of the same road to their courts, eager to start their games, but, alas, another road had to he found before the match was started. The same fate befel many residents who had been using the same road lor the past six years,'so'that indignation throughout the town was rile. Upon investigation it was found that the fence had been placed across the read by the railway authorities, who were quite within their rights, but under the circumstances the town was unanimous that duo notice of their intention to close such road should have been given. It appears that the road in question was in use by the railway officials and the general public during tlie time, and since, the removal of the station. Some complaints bad been made by the railway authorities of the danger existing'through so lit any people crossing the line, till it was suddenly decided to close it. Seine alteration in the present arrangement is, however, absolutely necessary if only lor the constable. 11l the event of bis ever having to make an arrest, he has no means offsetting to the Icck-up, and the town now remains at the mercy of wouldbe offenders. It is believed there is a. disused bridge now at Cambridge, which, if erected over the rails, would overcome tire ■whole difficulty, and tho sooner done the better for the town.