The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, MAT 7, 1889. Burglary

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 129, 7 May 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, MAT 7, 1889. Burglary

When the local post office was broken into and the safe taken out, it was not expected that each town on the line would be favored with a visit from the burglars. This was a mistaken idea, because Mr J. Miller's store in Palmerston was entered and the safe removed on Sunday night, and last night we understand a place was entered at Foxton and a safe " lifted," but that it was so heavy and strong the artists could not open it, who thereby suffered a grevious disappointment, inasmuch as there was a considerable sura of ready money therein. These instances show, clearly enough, that there is a regularly organised gang working on a clearly defined system, under a recognised head who directs operations. Now, we would suggest that the head of the police 11 organise a system" and operate against the burglars. There may be a novelty in the position, but the " recognised head" should know by this time that the police are paid for the protection of life and property, and their duties do not end when they have assisted at a prize fight, arrested a drunken man, or harassed an unfortunate publican. Taking constables individually we are quite safe in saying they are intelligent, and diligent in the performance of their duties, but they are so much hampered with red tape regulations, and have so many other functions thrust upon them — especially when in charge of country stations — that they have really little or no time to perform anything more than their clerical work. To put it briefly, one man has to do two raen'B work. This state of things is a direct encouragement to the criminal classes. Where there is no dread of detection or arrest, criuio is certain to become rampant. A peculiarly bad feature we have noticed in connection with these burglaries — the people are laughing at the police. This is wrong I Those who deserve ridicule are the i authorities who have failed to take | note of the enormous increase of population on this coast. Had they done so, the number of constables would have boea increased in a proportionate ratio, and crime, which is inevitable with increased numbers, would thus have been checker 1 , if not prevented altogether. The expense of two or more men for Palmerston and Feilding, would cost at the outside £300 a year. Put this against the £500 or £600 which it will cost the country for the detection and punishment of the crimes now noted, the mistaken economy is seen at once. We have already reverted to the point, but it will bear repetition. A number of well known (to the police) gaol birds have been, and are, hanging about Poxton, Palmerston, and Feilding, and we do think they should be ordered to " move on" and clear out of the district altogether. Under the Police Offences Act the constables have plenty of power which, in our opinion, should be exercised with the utmost vigor. Until this is done "police protection" will remain a farce.