The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1882.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4364, 28 December 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1882.

Some days ago we referred to the unsatisfactory footing of the Police force, and pointed out that a certain amount of education and good physique are indispensible, that a policeman's duties were onerous and responsible, and that there was a volume of respectable dimensions, comprising regulations and law, with which it was incumbent upon him to make himself acquainted—in fact, he should be a walking epitome of the criminal law. Clearly, then, experience is an invaluable aid to the efficient execution of duty. But as matters are, now arranged, there is no encouragement for good men to remain in the force, nor do they, as we could demonstrate by the class of men who threw aside the bat ton and handcuffs in favor of the spade or pick or othei* pursuits during the past year, and are doing better than if they had continued to wear the Constabulary uniform. The pay of the police is not so good as it was three years ago. At the time of the general reduction their wages were lowered, ten per cent., and, although the per centage was afterwards restored, a general reduction of sixpence a day, in all ranks was made. The pay is as follows:—Sergt.-major 10s 6d, or £191 12s 6d per annum. Each grade is sixpence less, so that a third class sergeant draws 8s 6d per diem, or £155 2s 6d per annum. Ist class constables are paid 8s per day, and 3rd class 7s, or £127 15s. Ist class detectives receive 15s 6d per day, or £246 7s 6d per annum, and 2nd class 12s, 3rd class 10s 6d, and 4th class 9s 6d respectively. The percentage restored averaged from 3 i to 6f per cent, instead of 10 per cent. These rates may appear reasonable enough to some, but it must be borne in mind that constables are not efficient for street duty when past their prime, and sensible men look forward to providing for old age. Promotion is very slow, especially in the North Island. The reason/that the men we have referred to left the force is because after being third class constables for periods varying from five to ten years they could discern no hope of an upward step. The system requires remodelling: there should be a retiring allowance or pension. Men would not so much mind tbe scale of wages being low if tbe advancement were anything like regular (it now has not even the plea of seniority or merit, whatever the pretence may be), and they knew that there was ao assured future for them if they did their duty, and conducted themselves properly.