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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2442, 6 March 1888, Page 2

Major Gudgeon in submitting his report to the Hon. the Defence Minister last session, referred to the working of the police force in New Zealand, and stated that the most of his inspections have been satisfactory so far ae " dicipline, management, and efficiency are concerned." Since hie appointment, Major Gudgeon has not only given this branch of the service his utmost study, but at the same time has endeavoured to Uenp the expen. dlture as low as could possibly be done without impairing in any degree the efficiency of tiie force Judging from the reports presented to Parliament during the last two sessions the force appears to be unriur the control of one who is thoroughly Qualified for his worje. Wα learn the following particulars from the commissioner's report. The proportion of police to the population j.s I to ]?05, and the annual eo.st per inhabitant 3s 84>1, calculated on the basis of the Registrar-Ueneral's returns to March, 1887, and the net expenditure for police for fljs financial year 1886-7. In Victoria the corresponding figures are 1 to .774, 4s 4<J; in New Soi}.tJ} Wales i to C 55, Cs

llirl; in South Australia I to 100, 6s ; in Queensland, exclusive of black trackers (200), the proportion is 1 to 445, and the cost.including the trackers.Os o.?' l. The above, returns speak for themselves. With the view of improving the efficiency of the force and encouraging those who may desire to raise themselves above their fellow, the Commissioner proposes " to institute a system of examination somewhat after the Victorian method, by which any man in the police may cluini to pass anrexamination which shall qualify him for promotion to thu rank of sergeant. These examinations («iys the Commissioner) should nor be prohibitory, but should be; sufficiently searching to tiist the applicants' knowledge of his profession, and make it a credit to pass through the ordeal. Howevnr, they should not be eligible for promotion to the rank of sergeant until they have attained by seniority to the grade of first-clasi constables." This, we imagine, is a step in the right direction, asitraffordspromotiontotho.se who are justly entitled to it. Major Gudgeon in his supplementary report states that from personal observation and from tha opinions expressed to him by settlers in the various districts the police everywhere strive to merit the respect of the people. Still, although all matters within the immediate control of the inspectors and their men are satisfactory, there are many things more immediately connected with the organisation and head-quarters which are not. aud should be altered with as little delay as possible. This failure in adminstration and organisation has arisen entirely from the fact that there lias been practically no inspection by the Commissioner for nearly fifteen years, aud therefore that officer has never had the personal knowledge which would alonfi enable him to deal with affairs in il manner economical and satisfactory to the Government and to those under him. The report in addition to dealing with the force contain some very valuable suggestions as to amendments desirable in curtain statutes which it is the duty of the police to enforce and which, it is to be hoped, will not be lost sight of by the Defence Minister.