MORE POLICE PROTECTION

Otaki Mail, 5 January 1923, Page 3

MORE POLICE PROTECTION

I —— — DEPUTATION TO COMMISSIONER. A deputation consisting of the Mayor (Mr Brandon), Councillor Broadway, town clerk (Mr Davies), Mr A. A. BrowD (Waikanae), and Mr I. Mackay (Paekakariki), journeyed to Wellington yesterday to interview the Commissioner of Police for the purpose of obtaining, if possible, an additional constable for Otaki. Mr Atkins, of Mana- ; kau, was unable at the last moment to J join the deputation. | The deputation was introduced to the Commissioner by Mr Field, M.P., who | stated that Otaki appeared the best ! centre for the police to control the area . ; from Manakau to Paekakariki. j Mr Brandon spoke of the growing . population, not only of Otaki, but of the district generally, and said what was satisfactory supervision a few years ago, was totally inadequate now. He also referred to the recently-made by-laws of the Borough, and whilst claiming that Otaki was a particularly orderly town it was certain that the j assistance of the police would be required iu enforcing them. Mr Sather- , ley, the present officer in charge, knew everyone in the district and had done particularly good work. , The Commissioner at this stage stat- , ed he had looked up the liles and agreed | with the Mayor that the records were ' good, in fact some constables had reported that there was hardly enough] work for one in Otaki. He, however, felt that Constable Satherley was not. physically fit for the work iu Otaki and had offered him Nelson. Mr Satherley had, however, shown that he should be within reasonable distance of his niodi-. cal advisors, aud had applied for Island Bay. He assured the deputation, that with the limited funds at his disposal, the prospect of an extra con-, stable was not bright for the present, j The Mayor agreed that without as-, sistancc it was not advisable to leave Mr Satherley at Otaki, but strongly I mrged reconsideration of another con-, stable. ;• Mr Brown and Mr Mackay consider-1 ed that Manakau and Paekakariki j should be included iu tho Otaki police, district. This enlarged area would | certainly warrant an additional constable stationed at Otaki. Councillor Broadway thought that the Councw would require more help from the department, if only in control of traffic. The borough had particular- ( ly long streets and motor-cycles and cars travelled at very high speed involv-1 ing risk to life. The popularity of the , town as a health resort accounted for the heavy increase in truffle. | The town clerk stated that the Borough increase iu population as per last | census was from 800 to nearly 1200, exclusive of Natives, and that the ratepayers in tho Borough had increased from 2-10 to 470. The number of buildings erected within the borough during ( the last 12 months was approximately 50. The Commissioner stated that the deputation hud made out a good case for an increase, and in view of the statements made he would reconsider the whole position. t The Mayor then thanked the Com-. mhsiincr and the deputation withdrew, j