COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1930, Page 6

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

AN APPOf NTME'NT. ißy Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July *2l. Superintendent Wohlmann, of Auckland, ii .s been appointed Police Commissioner. • •;!>' A DISTINGUISHED CAREER. .AUCKLAND. July 21. Superintendent, Wohlmann is . tlie senior officer erf high rank in the police force. He joined the force in 1895 after serving in the New Zealand Permanent Artillery. He was station at Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch and then in Auckland, .whence he was transferred in 1907, doing duty in both the clerical and the executive div cons and passing through the various ranks When sub-inspector he was appointed on November 1. 19*20, as Commissioner of Police in Western Samoa, at the time substitution of civil status for the military regime was made. During his service in Samoa Superintendent Wohlmann remodelled the police force there and brought it up to rank as an efficient service.. In February, 1922 he returned to New Zealand as inspector an ( j was pi veil charge of the Waikato police district with headquarters at Hamilton He remained there until February 1920 when, as superintendent, lie replaced Superintendent C. W. Hendry in Auckland on the latter’s retirement. The new Commissioner has had varied experiences in all ranks of the service. In Samoa he dealt successfully with many important and intricate situations. The trial and conviction of the chiefs 0? a Chinese secret society for the attempted, murder ,of a Chinese police officer involved prominent local personages . and had far-reaching . results. So also did the .attempt to pervert the course of justice by highlyplaced members of the Samoan race. This developed a political situation of much local importance. He had also to deal with the prolonged strike or Sa, illicit smuggling and illicit liquor manufacture. ; These were so firmlydealt with that the evils practically "eased to exist. To maintain strict disciplines and at the same time earn' the deep respect and affection of liis subordinates in an organisation like the police force is an achievement ot which' Mr Wohlmann is justly proud. Eminently fair-and just to members of the iforice and also the outside, public; lie .is also an extremely courteous, unassuming gentleman, and confidence-is: expressed that he will fill the office of Commissioner, with, credit to himself and to the force.