The Globe. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 463, 8 December 1875, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1875.

It is impossible not to coincide with the expression of opinion, which was delivered by the Resident Magistrate yesterday, that the permanent beats of the police ought to extend to and go outside the Town Belts. It is not easy to say where Christchurch ends, as the suburbs are becoming thickly inhabited, and there is really no line of demarcation between them and the city proper. Though the extra number of police requisite to do the necessary duty will, of course, entail an additional expenditure on the keeping up of the force, yet this cannot be helped, as the time'rnust come, sooner or later, when it will be imperative that the protection alluded to must he given to our suburban neighbours. At present tUi’Q ars »ome purtsof the neighbour.

hood of Christchurch in which the sight of a policeman is a rarity, and if a cas< arise* in which a constable is required, touch time is lost in obtainin-; ;he services of one. It might be wop hy of consideration whether it would not bo worth while to establish small suburban depots, at which a sergeant and a few constables could be stationed, in case their services were required. We believe in fact that au idea of this sort has found favour in the eyes of the authorities, and that it is intended to station some of the police in the 'Waitham district. The supervision of some of the public-houses in the suburbs of the town might, with advantage, be stricter than it is. Of the numerous cases of brawls and lunacy from drink which are brought before the Resident Magistrate here, many have their origin in the outside publichouses. If such houses were within a reasonable distance of a police-station, their proprietors would, perhaps, think twice before serving men with liquor who were already in a state of semilunacy from their excesses. It cannot be denied that some of the publichouses outside of the town belt are as well conducted as any in the colony, but there are numerous exceptions to this rule, and these exceptions are well known to the police. A few lines would have a great effect on some of these publicans, and would not be without benefit to the frequenters of the houses. The reports sent iu to the head office from the different outstations would very soon indicate those suburbs which would require a greater or less number of constables for the preservation of order, and the responsibility attached to the officer iu charge of au out-station, and his conduct in such a position would be a very good test of his fitness for promotion. It is certain that some such plan as we propose must be carried out at no distant date, and we cannot help thinking that it is not a minute too soon to inaugurate the system.