POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 264, 3 May 1889, Page 2

POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.

. ♦ Tbe publfc are very little studied by the police authorities. In their minds it appears to run that con stables are simply supplied to th<» country, districts for ornament, not use, and if their services should bo required elsewhere they can be withdrawn without further cous deration. It is needless to remark that the pu lie look upon tbe Force in » different light, and expeot, as they bear

li& 6osfy thfey should be in receipt of the advantages of a policeman's presence. We suppose the action in this district, of the fernowl of the lfflsti guardians away from fche posts they are supposed to protect, is the result of the g**nd policy of retrenchment. In ordinflty business, if the absence of one man JS required from his duty, it is the custom to i-rovide a substitute, but the'starvaiK»n principle allows the Inspector, no offhand for these duties. In nils town, we have had our only policeman taken away for a week, and the place was at the disposal of the undesirable visitors who are now roaming around. Where is the constable ? Oh, gone to Wanganui. This Was so *he other day, is so now, aod sitoply because a fight took pace fifty moles distant, the holders of property h«f» have to act for the tirfte being a* guardians of the peace. The thing is simply scandalous. It is refreshing to note, that a better feeling is held for the ratepayers, by the dishonest section of our population, than the Government holds lor them, for during the absence of the Feilding constable, they confined their energies to clearing the G wnxment out of cash, at th* Post Office, and allowed the business people a respite. We are aware tnat tfiey stole a conveyance, but that arose more from force of circumstances than bad feeling, as without one, they would not have been able to conveniently remove the Government's safe. The perpetrators of this robbery should be interviewed, as they appear to have the right conception of things, as to whether sufficient inducement might not be offered them to undertake the removal of the Government for their next job, instead of the Government's property. Most people would willingly allow them to retain the proceeds if they would do so.