KEEPING THE KING'S PEACE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 9

KEEPING THE KING'S PEACE.

FIYE HUNDRED MEN IN A DAY 'AUCKLAND ENROLMENT. IBj M«rra.Dh.—Proas Association,) Auckland, November 3. A meeting of over 100 business peoplo, shopkeepers, and others was held at the Town Hall to-day to consider tho position in regard to tho strike. ■ Tho Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) presided. The meeting set up, a Finance Committee to collect funds ( ' £500 being subscribed in the room inside three minutes as an instalment to meet expenses likely to bo incurred. A Citizens' Defenoe Committee was also set up to act in conjunction with tho Mayor and police in pro? viding special police protection. A third committee was set up to make arrangements ■to assist in providing accommodation for those who were coming from country districts to act ,as special constables. The president of tho Auckland Fanners' Union was present, and stated that the branches of his organisation would be ready to send hundreds of men as soon_as they wero wanted. During the past few days tho police authorities havo been in touch with persons willing to assist in the preservation of; law and order with" tho result that, this morning, Mr. Frasery S.M.; was busily engaged dealing with a stream of . candidates who came to be sworn in as special constables. Nearly the whole of the volunteers were active lusty young >men;-. between tho ages of 23 and 27, and about 400 of them have been givon the badge. When the business of enrolment has been concluded to-riight, it is probable that well over 500 special men will be at the disposal of the superintendent of police. . In addition the, work of reinforcing the regular police has been steadily pushed ahead, and there is now a large emergency force of foot and mounted police from tho country stationed in the,city!