The Oamaru Mail SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 188O.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1236, 3 April 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880.

A few days ago we commented upon what we conceived to be defects in the police system of this town. "We cited an instance in which certain of the police displayed excessive zeal, and implied that the same zeal might with advantage be brought to l>ear in other matters of infinitely graver importance to the town and district. We wish it to he distinctly understood that we did not blame the two policemen that stopped the cab and cautioned the driver because his lamps were not lighted, and since publishing the comments referred to, we have elicited an explanation of the reasons for the conduct of the police on this occasion that proves that the police who stopped the cab were not in search of lightless cabmen plying on moonlight nights—that tliev were performing one of the most important duties of their office. At the time, we were not aware of the motives that operated in the minds of these policemen. We only knew that, whereas a cab driver plying on a clear moonlight night had apparently narrowly escaped figuring in the Resident Magistrate's Court, in several other parts of the town scenes were being enacted that called for the presence and operation of the limbs of the law. We are now satisfied that they were doing their duty. That fact, whilst complimentary to the police force, does not prove that that force is what it should be. Far from it. Will our readers believe that there are only four policemen and a sergeant in this town, and that our lives and property pre in the hands of two of these during the hours of our obliviousness 1 It would be supremely ridiculous to suppose that, with such a staff—if it is worthy of such a dignified title—the peace and security of this town can be maintained. Tears ago, when the population was only half what it is now, the force was as strong, or, rather, as weak, as it i 3 now. Perhaps the Government or the heads of the Colonial Police Force can explain why this is the case, whilst the growth in population and crime in other communities have been met by increased means for maintaining peace. To show how rapidly crime has grown of late we may mention that during the month of March 110 less than 85 offences were reported to the police, of which number S2 offenders were arrested. For the previous five months the numbers arrested were as follow :—October, 32; November, 32 : December, 32 January, 56 ; and February, 4G. The greatest increase has been in drunkenness, for which offence 25 more persons were arrested in March than during the previous month. Of course it wil be said that the increase of crime is consequent upon the large influx of harvest hands: but when we mention that-the number of persons arrested last month is about double that of the apprehensions effected in the same month of the previous year, it must be admitted that some other cause has been at work. The very large increase of lewd women, the very general greater depravity amongst them, and the multiplication of their loafer attendants, have, we shrewdly suspect, contributed to the increase of crime that is everywhere so apparent. On the strength of our fixed population, we have a right to demand a more reasonable amount of protection. But for six months during the year we are subject to an influx of a floating population that requires as much restraint as the whole of our fixed population put together. We know that amongst our migratory farm laborers are to be found many respectable and lawabiding men, but there must of necessity be a large proportion of the criminal element. We are credibly informed that there are at present parading our streets two men that -were tried and convicted three years ago in Sydney, N.S.W., for burglary committed by them on the premises of Messrs. Dixon and Sons, the well-known tobacco manufacturers. In a room occupied by these men was found a complete set of burglars' implements, amongst which were "jemmies " of most intricate workmanship, skeleton keys of every description, shoes with thick list soles, masks, bludgeons, a silk rope ladder, &c. At the expiration of a mild sentence of three years' imprisonment, these fellows were identified as being " ex pirees" from Western Australia, whither they had been transported for burglary. Yet they were let Joose on society, perhaps hounded out of IT.S.W. by the police who did not care a jot where they went so long as they were rid of the responsibility of watching such troublesome customers. We have no wish to alarm the inhabitants of this town and district. But for the reason that "to be forewarned is to be fore- | armed," and as a powerful argument why we should have increased police 1 protection, we deem it to be our duty to state the fact, unpalatable though it is. These are two men that happen to be known; perhaps not by the police, because the necessity for intercolonial reciprocity in jxjlice matters has not been felt any more by our jSTew South Wales neighbors than it is felt by other of the Australasian colonies. By a singular circumstance the information, so

circumstantial, lias been im- ; mi-ted to us, and we were, and Derhapn the public will be, led to .suspect tlie probability that these two black criminals are only a tithe of the representatives of their class which we daily encounter. To argue at greater length the necessity for an increase in the strength of our police force would surely be superogatory. It is unfair to expect Sir. Inspector Thompson to perform the duties expected of him with the present staff. The wonder is that that he does so well.