BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1949 WELL DONE, WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 49, 4 February 1949, Page 4

BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1949 WELL DONE, WHAKATANE

Though Monday night’s ‘tragedy has deeply shocked this whole community, it has also shown that the district has a wealth of public spirit, human sympathy and steadfast courage in its citizens. Inspector J. Mclntyre’s heartfelt tribute to the volunteer helpers in the hunt for the ruthless killer who murdered Traffic Inspector Kehoe cannot be too sincerely echoed. In reciprocation, it can be said that he and his men, with their air of cool efficiency and firm refusals to give their sanction to the publication of alarming rumours, have done much to maintain public calm in a situation that is, to say the least, very disturbing. Our own civilian volunteers have done and are doing a great job, and the Police chief yesterday repeated his appreciation in feeling terms. $ A number of the volunteers are mere boys. Many are married men with families. Yet, fully realising the danger of setting out in search of an armed desperado, they have placed themselves at the disposal of the police and declared their readiness to do anything, take any risk, to help to bring the killer to justice. While the necessity must be regretted by everyone, this spirit shown is one of which the district can justly be proud indeed. Some say this town is not an easy place for strangers to make friends. Yet it has proved its warm-hearted generosity over and over. Now comes 'further proof of the ready human sympathy of its citizens. Within hours of this week’s tragic occurrence, the Beacon was approached to accept donations to a fund to help the family of the murdered man, who was by no means a well-estab-lished resident here. There is already over £3O in that fund, and there is no reason to dou -t that it will ultimately be substantial. Police investigations in this case have so far been carried out with a quiet and thorough efficiency, though handicapped at the outset by the fact that it took time to get the first rein- -• forcements rushed here.

The man who perpetrated this foul crime had a start on his persuers, but everywhere there is quiet determination to press the chase to its proper conclusion.

There will be general relief when that object is achieved. ' Meanwhile, we can only wait, confident that every possible clue is being followed by the best police brains available, backed by the steady resolve of police and civilians alike that the criminal will be brought in.