Policeman will launch new book at fair

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 234, 8 March 1988, Page 9 (Supplement)

Policeman will launch new book at fair

A policeman with a story you'Il find hard to believe will be launching his new book a t the Desert Fair. The book actually traces the history o f police back to 18 86 when the Police Force Act and the Defence Force Act divided the former New Zealand Constabulary Force into two groups, the NZ Police Force and the NZ Permanent Artillery - forerunner of today's New Zealand Army. Wanganui's Senior Constable Charlie Spicer will be promoting his 300-page "Policing The Wanganui District" at the

fair and will be available to give autographs. To be officially launched in Wanganui on March 16, the 1000copy limited-edition book will be on sale at the fair at a prepublication price of $32.50. Constable Spicer, still a front line officer in Wanganui, has written the book as a police centennial project. The book will be of immense interest to readers in the Wanganui region as it covers the histories of all the local police districts including Taihape, Waiouru, Ohakune, Raetihi, National Park and the smaller stations in

those areas which have closed. Apart from police station history including the names of all 1200odd personnel who have served in the region, it includes chapters on search and rescue, armed offenders, police dogs, policewomen, bravery, cases and tragedies. District Court Judge Mr E.W.Unwin says the book is well-researched and deserves to do well. He says the author has compressed 100 years of police history into 300 pages and this was a great challenge. "To turn it into a fascinating journey through the district's history is an even more daunting task. Somehow the author has

managed to combine a tough of humanity, humility and humour with a factual account of the service by the police in the community." Local historian and author Athol Kirk has also praised the book. He says it is enhanced by the first chapter in which the author deals not only with the first European policing dating back from the 1840s but prior to that the Maori concept of keeping law and order. Mr Kirk says meticulous research and mammoth effort were required in documenting the historical details. Stories of what happened "bring the book to life".

Says Mr Kirk: "Readers will enjoy reading of the difficulties of policing the central North Island during the construction of the main trunk railway and the timber milling era with two-up schools and sly grogging being the major crimes."