The Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3753, 4 March 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1875.

Last evening one of those disgusting developments of ruffianism and cowardice took place that reveal the presence among us of what is known in European cities as the dangerous class,” and in these Colonies as lanikins. We in Dunedin have hitherto enjoyed so remarkable an immunity from serious exhibitions of their mischievousness, thac iu has been thought by many their numbers were too insignificant for evil. Yet it is worthy of noto how opportunity serves to bring them to the front, and to show their numbers. Their brutality exhibits itself thus far mainly in their hatred of the police. Let a policeman in the execution of his duty arrest a man guilty of a breach of law, he cannot conduct the culprit the length of one of our shortest streets without a crowd following, whose excited demeanour, even in broad daylight, proves that the slightest incident would induce them to attempt his rescue. Were attention only directed to seeing that no more force was employed than necessary to retain the offender in captivity, the curiosity would be beneficial; but no observer can help being struck with the sympathy exhibited towards the captive and the animosity manifested against the captor. Tho culprit may act as brutally as his degraded nature impels him ; but a policeman is expected to bear all this, and, in addition to it, the sometimes active opposition of the crowd of larrikins only too ready to get “ a slant at a Bobby. ” Nor do the police meet with that ready support from the respectable classes that they have a reasonable expectation of receiving. We do not say that it is necessary to volunteer assistance on every trivial occasion ; but there are times when apathy and indifference become social sins. Xhe moral support of society gives force and authority to the conservators of order that enables them to fulfil their duties more efficiently and with

greater consideration towards those whom it is their duty to arrest. On this as on all moral questions, a healthy public opinion is of vital importance. It Las been frequently said that every Briton is his own policeman; and the boast has been frequently uttered that owing to this “order-loving’' quality which seems inherent in the race, standing armies for repressive purposes arc needless in all Anglo-Saxon communiti a. That there is much truth in this is undeniable The policeman is the embodiment of our love '.f order. He is the minister of our ideas of what men ought to do and ought to be in relation to each other. He is our servant, entrusted by us to see that no one insults or injures us and society by setting order and honesty at defiance. He has written instructions in the shape of laws, and we expect him to act according to those instructions. Should he fail to do so he is considered unfit for his position and another must be put in his place. Many times his duties are unpleasant; not unfrequently they place him in danger. Do we sufficiently reflect that, when he faces a ruffianly crowd like that which surrounded the officer who was so brutally used near the Princess Theatre last evening, he stands between them and the orderly classes, and that were it not for his efforts all respectable men would personally have to defend themselves, their families, and their property? Nor should the cowardly character »f the attacks made last night upon the policeman pass unnoticed. In the performance of his duty, while removing a disorderly to the Idck-np, he was “tripped” by one who ought to have assisted him. He could not guard against treachery like that. He had no right to suppose one not implicated in wrong would so far sympathise with a wrong-doer as to endeavor to set him free, Yet this was done; but worse remains to be regretted. Even this treacherous larrikin is a hero compared with those cowardly, skulking sneaks who, favored by the darkness and sheltered by numbers, wantonly inflicted injuries upon the policeman by kicking him when lying defenceless on the ground. We have some respect for manly courage, even when manifested in a wrong cause ; but we trust we only share with others of our national blood in supreme contempt for those who thrust others to the front and under cover of their shadows deal their dastardly blows on the defenceless. Time was when an Englishman would never allow a man to be struck when he was down, no matter who or what he was ; but no such manly spirit marks Colonial larrikinism. It is mean, ruffianly, contemptible, and must be put down, or our places of amusement will be closed, for none who are respectable will attend them. We fear that the idea prevails that larrikinism is a sin of youth only : this is a mistake. Larrikinism is an inheritance. It may have developments peculiar to years ; but this may beset down as a rule, that a Jhrrikin youth has received a larrikin home education : it is the outgrowth of his training and associations. Barents will do well to think of this, for, whatever their own habits, few desire their children to grow up blackguards ; and blackguardism may result equally from bad example or laxity of home discipline.