DETECTIVE MAKES LIFE-LONG FRIEND

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5306, 20 January 1947, Page 3

DETECTIVE MAKES LIFE-LONG FRIEND

SOUTHLAND EPLODE OUTSTANDING OFFICER RETIRED lXst week, WELLINGTON. One of the oUsthndiilg dfficei's oi the New Zeaiand Pdlice Foicg, InSpe2-= tor W. H Dunlop, chigf detfegtiV^ ftt Wellington, and previously chief de-: tective at Christchurch, for many years, began his retiring leave last week-end, after more than 40 years' service. Mr. Dunlop proved himself to be a constable and sergeant of more than ordinary ability. He had no particular desire to transfer from the uniformed branch'to the detectives; but i his general a'bility, his knowledge of I human nsture in general and that of ' criminals in particular, and the technique he used in apprehending wanted men made sttch a transfer inevitable. Most of his time in the force was spent in the South Island. 'It was there that he made one of the outstanding arrests in the history of.the force, of a 'man who may be called iSmith though that was not his name.) He had been accused — wrongly, as it turned out — of ibreaking and entering a little country store in the wild busb country in Central Southland. He took to the bush with his rifle when a warrant for his arrest signed hy the local Justice of the Peace, who happened to be the owner of the store, had been issued on the evidence of the marlc of i a large boot outside the store window. Threat to Shoot. The district for miles around soon became aware of his threat to shoot any policeman who tried to an*est him. No one did much about it for about nine months, until a Wellington iiewspaper pricked up the story and published in great headlines how a dangerous bushman was holding at bay all the forces of law and order. It was the first that the then Commissioner of Police — it was early in 1922 — knew of the matter. He isued instructions that Smith was to be arrested promptly, and Mr. Dunlop, tvho had just been promoted to sergeant, was given the asignment. Meeting in the Bush. Mr. Dunlop, in his effort to reach Smith, was faced with great difficulty. When he did get a message to him, through Smith's sister-in-law, he offerei to meet him back in the bush. He promised to go unarmed, and alone. and Smith agreed to the meeting The sergeant went alone, and uliarmed. He had to go through a swamp first and then up a banlc on to a large clearing. At the far end of the clearing was a hig*h wire fence, to stop cattle from wandering back into the hills. . As the sergeant came to the edge of the clearing, he saw Smith sitting on a tree stump on the far side of the fence, a rifle across his knees. He will say to-day that he was scared. As he approached the fence Smith told 'him to stop. The sergeant started to talk. He told Smith that he believed in his innocence, and called him a fool for not surrendering himself. He told Smith that he was being blamed for every minor crime and | theft for 100 miles around, ancl concluded by offering to Cght him. But Smith didn't want to fight. He assured the sergeant that the rifle was his knee was loaded and was going to stay that way. The Loaded Rifle. The sergeant turned to go. Then Smith, inexplicably, invited the sei> geant to go up to the sister-in-law's home nearby and have a cup of tea. He laid the rifle against the stump of the tree and stalked off. By the time the sergeant had climbed through the fence Smith was 50 yards away. "You've left your rifle behind," the sergeant called. "That's all right; no one will take it," Smith replied. The sergeant picked up the rifle. It took him a second to find out that it was ir-deed loaded. He carried it and half ran to catch up with Smith. (Later he was asked why hc didn't shoot the man or arrest him at the point of the gun.) Over a cup of tea Smith agreed- to submit to arrest. The sergeant was feeling very pleased with himself, until Smith suddenly went to the door, and, his fingers to his mouth, whistled shrilly. A few minutes later a number of small boys, Smith's nephews, came to the door. Smith smilingly informed the sergeant that, just in case, he had stationed the boys on the hills to report if the sergeant brought any men with him. The sergeant was really angry. He and had come, as he had promised, unarmed and alone. He told Smith what he thought of him and finally informed him that he had no intention of trusting him in future. Smith begged to be arrested. He told the sergeant he had not realised that a policeman could be trusted so completely, and begged the sergeant to accept his. ahject apologies for having doubted him.

Life-long Friendship. t So the srgeant aird his captive went to Invercargill together. On their trip down by train Smith got out at every stop to greet numerous bushmen and other old friends who had learned of his arrest. He joined them for a few drinks at each stop; but each time the train pulled out Smith was baclc on it. He was acquited of the breaking and entering charge. He remained a friend all his life o-f the man who arbecarne chief detective at Christchurch, made' a eall at the Police Station an annual "must" on his visits to that city. A 1922 Police Gazette carried a brief notice concerning the arrest. The sergeant received a monetiry reward and a police award of merit "for his tact and initiative" in making the arrest. Thei'e are other 'stories concerning Mr. Dunlop; but, though he can occasionally be persuaded to tell them, he has frowned on their ibecoming general knowledge.