South Canterbury Times, MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1880.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2355, 4 October 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1880.

Professor Baldwin s mysterious cabinet was not productive of more wonderful manifestations than the Wellington lock-up seems to have? been during the past week. "Within a fen days of one another two men are locked up for drunkenness at night, onty to be despatched to the hospital in the morning, one with a broken leg and the other with a fractured skull. The fractured leg case is in process of investigation, when the broken bead and its fatal consequences intensifies the suspicion with which the police cells are beginning to be regarded. The character of the Wellington police ns well as of that time-honored institution —the lock-up—arc evidently at stake. The New Zealand lock-up is applied to a grotesque varictj r of uses, but it was certainly never intended to be a receptacle for broken legs and skulls. There is something very ugly aud significant in the close relationship that has been established between this particular lock-up and the accident ward of an hospital. With regard to the broken leg case, it is alleged that the arresting constables acted with gross inhumanity. The person arrested, according to his own statement, slipped when stepping off the footpath and broke his leg. In this state ho was laid hold of by a couple of policemen, dragged to the lock-up, confined in acell all night, and carted off to lire hospital next morning. 11 is story is corroborated by the evidence of a female w!m states that slic beard him complain when arrested that ids leg was broken, but the constables dragged him along the thoroughfare, paying no attention to his representations and entreaties. Making due allowance for the conflicting evidence it may faiily be assumed, we think, that this unfortunate prisoner has been the victim of; a cheap and nasty police system. And the probability is that the young man with the fractured skull owed his night in a police cell, just before bis journey to eternity, to the degradation, ignorance, and inefficiency of a poorly paid and indifferently organised service.

It must not be supposed that in applying terms that sound harsh \vc are passing - any undue reflection on the police individually. We should be sorry to think that even the constables who dragged the unfortunate man with Ids log fractured through the streets of 'Wellington were guilty of wilful inhumanity. To drag a dog or a. horse about under similar circumstances would be considered an act of revolting cruel tv, and we arc satisfied that no member of the Xcw Zealand police force would dream of indicting such brutality on a fellow man. The presumption is that if complaint was made, it was either disbelieved or passed unnoticed, and that the worst imputation that can be fairly made against the accused policemen is one of over zeal and carelessness. When we use the terms “degradation, ignorance, and inefficiency,” wo refer not to the men, hut to the influence of a baneful system of false economy on an important service. The average Xcw Zealand policeman is a wonderful product for the money. He is usually well disciplined, well behaved, respectful to his superior officers, steady, reliable, and energetic. He perseveres on the same old beat, watching the same faces, examining the same doors, viewing the same shop windows, scenting the same channels, day after day, despite the fearful monotony involved, and with the heroic fortitude of an old mariner on an accustomed voyage. When we add that frequently he is fairly educated, that he is never so illiterate as to be unable to sign his name and spell the signposts, and that ho seldom indulges in tobacco or stimulants while on duty, we have nearly exhausted his virtues. Such an amiable pattern of resolute abstemiousness is certainly a wonderful bargain at six and sixpence or even seven shillings a day. Hut the good qualities wo have cited by no means compose an eflieient policeman. Besides possessing a natural aptitude fur the profession ho has chosen, the policeman who aims at efficiency must go through a severe curriculum of preliminary training. It is not enough that ho should present an exemplary exterior to the public ; the peculiar nature of his duties requires the exercise of a considerable amount of versatility. In a scuttle or row lie must be expert with his hands, displaying a little science when needful ; in tracing offences he has to exercise a good deal of mental expertness ; and often in the performance of the most trivial duties, ingenuity and presence of mind are of the Jirst importance. Having the lives, the limbs, the liberty, and the property of the public to a great extent in Ids keeping, it is desirable that added to other things, he should possess, at all events, a knowledge of the outlines of surgery. In cases of drowning, broken bones or other severe accident lie should know how to act till the doctor conies. But how many of the Xcw Zealand police force possess these important qualifications ? The latest edition of the Wellington “Police News” notably illustrates the kind of protection which the public must expect from the Government cheap policeman. Ever since the pay of the police was reduced—some three years ago —the service has been looked upon as a temporary refuge by young men out of employment. As a rule, the recruits have not even the remotest intention of staying in the service of the Govern-

mr.Mit any longer tlmn they can help, they join the force when times arc dull, jn.st as a certain clan ol: oM offenders join the prison gangs, so that they may get the winter over comfortably and be ready for the harvest. A raw six-and-sixpencc man cannot be expected to defect the difference between a deaddrunk and a fractured skull, or a reeling brain and a broken leg. lie is not paid to be a surgeon and if he perverts the cells into repositories for the manned and the dying, the crime against society rests not with the man, but with his employers. Recent experiences have taught the New Zealand policeman that his position is insecure, and that a reduction of pay or dismissal from the force may be the reward of long service. Tins is not the kind of encouragement to induce, good men to come forward, nor is it likely to cause a spirit of contentment and emulation among present members. Until the service is rendered moderately attractive, and comes to be regarded as a permanency, it is hopeless to expect that life and property will enjoy that security, which, in a country with a pioperly organised police force, might reasonably bo expected.