PAEROA POLICE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5052, 15 November 1926, Page 2

PAEROA POLICE.

EXTRA CONSTABLE DESIRED. BOROUGH COUNCIL TAKES ACTION The question of adequate police protection for Paeroa was introduced at the last meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council by His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall). The M&tor said that a request for an extra policeman for the borough had been refused previously, but the time was opportune to renew the request. The matter of speeding motors had brought home to the council that night the need for increased police protection. The assistance olf Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., might well be sought, and he moved' that Mr Samuel be supplied with full information and asked to renew the request to the Minister of Justice.

Cr. F. E. Flftt drew attention to the fact that recently the Commissioner of Police had ordered the removal of the electric lights from the police office and lock-up. The speaker said that he was astonished when he had learned of the fact, and considered that it was the motet ridiculous action he had even heap'd of a Government department doing.

Cr. G. P. de Castro said he thought that the local constable had a genuine grievance, esreeially when he was prepared to pay 'for the office lighting himself. ft was desirable that the constable should be supported, and the council should move at once in the matter.

Cr. Flatt reminded the meeting that it was only after considerable representations had been made about two years ago that the department had agreed to instal electric lighting and better ventilation for the lock-up. It seemed a piece of absurdity that the lights should now be removed. The position at present was that if the constable had any office work to do at night, and he frequently had, the ajd of candles had to be reported to. The idea of endeavouring to lock up a drunken or otherwise unruly person by the aid of candle-light was ridiculous, a,nd was fraught with no little danger to the constable of being attacked. Paeroa was, a far more important town than it was a couple of years ago, and the position that had arisen at the police station should not be tolerated.

With regard to the extra policeman, Cr. Flatt said that it was an acknowledged fact that Constable McClinchy had far too much to do, and if the town was to receive the police protection that was its due in the interests of the community the apopintment of a second constable was imperative;

Cr. H. J. Hare; poined out that on account of his manifold duties Constable McClinchy had frequently to be absent from the town, sometimes practically all day, and it was l most undesirable for the t o> wn to be without the services of a constable. The Mayor stated that it was quite a, common experience for the Methodist church services to be interrupted by hoodlums who congregated at the Beautifying Society’s reserve. He regretted to say that in his opinion hoodlumism was on the increase in the borough. He referred to such acts as the cutting of motor-car tyres, the destruction of trees; and shrubs, and the behaviour of larrikins with crackers in the main street on November 5. With the return Of licenses t'he duties of the constable had been considerably increased. Quantities di evidence could be gleaned and a strong case presented in support of a request for an additional policeman.

Cr. J. W. Silcock said that of his o.wn knowledge mischief and damage was done and thieving went on unchecked because the local constable already had more than he could perform, and rather than harass him many people refrained ftom making complaints. Cr. J. Pinder agreed, and drew attention to the excessive speeding of motor vehicles, and especially motorcyclists, that was going on practicalunchecked. The Mayor said that he had had more materials, etc., stolen in the course of building operations during the past 12 months than ever before. The, position generally cduld not go on.

The resolution was carried, and the supplying of all information in support df the request was left in the hands of the Mayor to forward to the member of the disrict, with' a request that he make representations to the Minister of Justice.