Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1893. Police Protection.

Manawatu Herald, Volume 06, 6 April 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1893. Police Protection.

It is time that some more energetic protests were made to the Minister under whose charge the police are, at the shameful manner the lives and properties of the tax payers in this district are neglected. The constable in charge is a very efficient officer and were he left to his own duties we might have nothing fco complain of, but he is not. It appears to be a fixed idea, very flattering but unfortunately not the fact, that every one who comes into this district immediately assumes the virtues which the older residents possess, of observing law and order. The officer in charge, either a sergeant stationed in Palmerston, or an Inspector stationed at Wanganui, immediately anything out of the usual course occurs elsewhere, sends orders for " our only policeman " to leave Foxton to itself and proceed !to look after the safety of some other people. The officer in question is also our only clerk of the Court, such being the economy which the Liberal Government has reduced us, therefore his absence is most annoying to those whoge business takes them to the Court, as well aa to those who naturally look for protection after the taxes they are called upon to pay.

We are not prepared to say who ia most at fault, the inconvenience is very great and Hia Worship the Mayor very properly brought the frequent absences of the constable under the notice of the Hon R. Seddon on his visit to this town. The Minister in his off-hand hearty manner agreed that it was not right and that when the constable had to leave another constable should be sent to take his place. He appeared to so resent this injustice that he directed a note to be made by his secretary and promised most faithfully that he would have the matter seen into. We are aware that it is foolishness to put your faith in princes or in any of the children of men, but we hoped a man of the people might have been trusted so far. We regret to state that the events of the past few days has shown that he, even he, is not to be depended on.

On Good Friday we learnt that " our only one " had received orders to let Foxton take care of itself and to transfer himself to Pahnerston to learn a wrinkle from the superior drill of the assembled volunteers at the Easter encampment. He did not inform us all that, but still as there was the nucleus of a small army in the neighbourhood of that town, it appeared the height of absurdity to take all our army unless it was to perfect his system of drill. The matter was reported to our senior Justice of the Peace who immediately telegraphed to the Commissioner of Police a remon* «twww f and in v«ply h« >v»a in.

formed tikat bis t*leV|ra,m hacl been forNVaraed oii 'to the Inspector for report. 6l course Hie constable had k-ffc on Saturday morn)n« and did not return till Monday night, th«S lot three days the town was left to the tender mercies of those who delight to do evil. As yet, fortunately, we know of nothing having gone wrong but the Police officials are not to be thanked for Unit. We pay OIU' taSdd ftutl are therefore fts much entitled to consideration as any other district-, and we assert that H is not fair that When U»riher" police are needed in Uliy district the men stationed singly should be called away from their posts. It is the toWris that have more than one constable which should be called upon to make up the deficieiicyi As long as the residents Will etalid this treatment they will get it, but if they properly resented it some other arrangements would veiy speedily be made; It is the duty of the Mayor and Borough Council to take the necessary steps to let the authorities know that tile town must be better treated,