THE UNDERSTANDING

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 26 March 1952, Page 3

THE UNDERSTANDING

(By

T.

P.)

There was a kind-hearted policeman in Taupo once upon a time before the war, when the Post Office was down nearer the wharf and the clock over its doorway never told the correct time. It might be as much as half an hour fast or slow, and nobody minded because wjho wanted to be punctual anyway, or expected anyone else to be ? Maybe it's because of that clock getting up into had habits that we are still inclined to be that way. Our pcliceman in those days was a tall, broad, and strong lrishman, with a beaming smile that made everybody feel that they had a really good friend about the place. Mother had no show if they threatened their children to send for the policeman because nothing would have pleased the young&ters more than that. One of his favourite diversions was to propose elopement; publicly, poetically, and most respeetfully, to the prettiest married ladies of the town. We plain ones were entertained. and amused, but always pretended to be jealous.

But he was attending strictly to duty on the Saturday afternoon when he thought it was about time he was arresting somebody. iSo, strolling majestically down past one of the hotels,. he found a native who was un-scber and escorted him along to jail in a fatherly fashion. Our P.C. was a considerate host and the Maori was perfeetly happy in his siirroundirgs. That wa? — so long at it was daylight! But when night came it was a different story. A Maori hates above all things to be alone at dark in a strange place. He set up a continual .howl of teror and dismay. Our policeman soothed his fears. "There-there me boy" he said kindly, "it'ull be allright; I'll soon find you plenty of mates.M And it was an easily kept promise for him to miake, of a Saturday night. Into town he went again and rounded up three more natives who were un-sober and brought them home, just foii company, for H$ie lonely one. A short sequel to this story was, that all four had ' to pay fines on Monday morning.