Notes and Comments.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 197, 3 September 1901, Page 3

Notes and Comments.

1 A policeman's life is not a happy one,” says a ciasask a sic writer, and this policeman, atom of philosophy

has furnished food for thought to many an hundred since the long ago. When Sir Robert Peel “ invented ” him in 1829**he didn’t “ catch on ” for a time, and became the butt of many a derisive name, that of “peeler” and “ bobby ” being the most lasting. Nowadays, ho ia called the “ slop,” for some reason known only to a few, and by them not explained, but it certainly is not because he is “ sloppy” in appearance. A thousand times no, for does not his coat of blue secure tha sweetest smile from the cooks on hie beat, with something more solid in the shape of a meat pastry and pot of xxxx. Do not tha nurse-girls smile at him as he proudly stalks through the parks, and the larrikins quail when he shouts “Silence in theGoori!” These are some of his. joys, and another is that of know ng he is indispensable to the community. Is it a burglary, ask a policeman. Is it the time, ask a policeman. Is it the “ airy,” where the dainties are choicest and the cook the most plump and good-natured, ask a policeman and you will get the straight tip. All this on top of the fact °thafc by decree of a paternal New Zealand Government he has bad to find his own uniform heretofore. Nothing was supplied him save the number on his helmet. But new his cup of joy is brimming over; for “by ordar ” the uniform is to be supplied, but the genial “ bobbv” has to pay for its manufacture’. Such are the privileges accorded . the protectors of our street corners and our cooka in this .and of freedom.