POLICE CONTROL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1030, 22 July 1930, Page 10

POLICE CONTROL

MR. WOHLMANN'S SUCCESS POPULARLY RECEIVED

RAPID ADVANCE IN FORCE

Following the announcement of his appointment as Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. G. Wohlmann, superintendent of police at Auckland, will leave this evening for Wellington to consult with the Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, regarding the date of the commencement of his new duties. The date will probably be August 1. Since Mr. W. B. Mcllveney resigned from the position of commissioner on June 30, there has been considerable interest throughout New Zealand concerning the officer to take up the duties attending the highest position in the police force in the Dominion. Many names, all prominent officers in the force, have been mentioned in this speculation, but the appointment of Mr. Wohlmann has generally been anticipated. This in itself is a tribute to an officer who is known widely for the excellent results of liis quietly strong work in administrative positions, and who enjoys the confidence of members of the force and the public. At the retirement of Mr. Mcllveney, Mr. Wohlmann was senior officer of the force and an officer with high qualifications for occupying the resitousible post of commissioner. It is appropriate that Mr. Wohlmann was born in a police station at Invercargill in 1572. Mr. Wohlmann’s father was district clerk under Inspector Fox and Mr. Woliimanu himself held this position for lour years from 3 903 under Inspector Mitchell. Mr. Wohlmann had. been transferred from the district office in Dunedin, where he entered the force in 1595. IN AUCKLAND IN 1907 The new commissioner came to Auckland as district clerk in February, 1907, and served under Inspector John Cullen, who later became commissioner. Mr. Wohlmann distinguished himself during the difficult period of the miners’ strike at Waihi, where lie had taken charge of the sub-district in 1909. He was at Waihi until 1917, when he was promoted to seniorsergeant. being stationed at Christchurch for 11 months. On his promotion to sub-inspector, he was engaged at Auckland for a short period. Mr. Wohlmann was sent to Western Samoa on November 1, 1920, as Commissioner of Police in Samoa to organise the civil police at the termination of the military regime. He won prominence there because of his valuable work. He reorganised the old native police, reinforced with a small staff of Europeans, in little more than a year. Difficult problems' concerning the Samoan population and Chinese indentured labour had to be faced at that time and the police force was busily occupied. The police even had charge of the fire brigade at Apia and were engaged on other tasks usuallv carried out by a local body. SECRET SOCIETY CHECKED A remarkable incident requiring delicate handling was in 1921, when members of a Chinese secret society attempted to murder Wong Suikan, tiie Chinese police interpreter. Some of the ringleaders of the society were sentenced to imprisonment for life. The trial involved prominent local residents and there were far-reaching effects. Mr. Wohlmann also handled the prolonged strike, or sa, smuggling and illicit manufacture of liquor. When Mr. Wohlmann returned-to New Zealand in 1922 as inspector, he took charge of the Waikato police district, with headquarters at Hamilton. He came to Auckland as superintendent in February, 1928, replacing Superintendent C. W. Hendry on his retirement. IN SOCIAL LIFE Mr. Wohlmann holds a high office in the order of Freemasons and is known to the community for his great interest in athletics. In Dunedin, he was an "Active member of the Dunedin Amateur Rowing Club, and, at Invercargill, a member of the Southland Football Club. A member of the Hamilton Acclimatisation Society and a present member of the society in Auckland, he is keenly interested iu acclimatisation and the preservation of game in New Zealand. As a member of the Hamilton Kennel Club, he followed the breeding of sporting dogs closely. He is a prominent member of the Auckland Bowling Club, and is connected with the Rotary Club, among various societies and clubs.

Police officers who have served under the new commissioner in Auckland have received liis appointment with the utmost approval. The Undersecretary of the Justice Department, Mr. R. P. Ward, lias had temporary control of the police force since July 3, and will continue in charge until Mr. Wohlmann begins his duties. The date will no doubt be arranged at the consultation with the Minister.