THE IRISH CONSTABULARY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2491, 28 June 1888, Page 2

THE IRISH CONSTABULARY.

TO TUK EDITOII. Sik, —I hope you will kindly give me space in your valuable paper to hike to task mi old gentleman residing in ILuniltou who finds great relief in venting his wrath on the police force, the Irish Constabulary in particular. I shall call him Mr J. and as an old member of the latter force, I ask Mr J. what knowledge has he of the constabulary to give him grounds to attempt to slander a body of 15,000 men? From my experience I found three classes to dread and slander them ; Ist. criminals, 2nd. topers, who frequent public houses up to 10 p.m. the closing hour, when they must bo turned into the street or taken to the lock-up, 3rd. the so-called landlords of questionable wayside inns. Perhaps Mr J. could give us some of his experience of the force, as one or other cf the above classes. Mr Editor I don't claim to champion the force, there are hundreds of the " Old School " in this country far better able to do so than your humble servant. But I feel that iam quite a match for Mr J. on this subject. I believe him quite ignorant in the matter, and he only speaks from pure malice. So, with your kind permission I shall enlighten him on the subject. The force is composed of picked men, the (lower of the kingdom, and a'l from the middle and upper classes. They must be of good character, sound in body and mind. All fairly,and many of them highly educated. As for appearance and discipline, they are second to none in the world, I wgII remember beintr on parade in the Phamix Park, (I need not say when). Only at the time Sir Henry John Brownrigg was In-spector-General, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and suite came to make one of the usual inspections His Excellency spoke something in these words, ,4 Sir Henry, you may well be proud of the force, which beyond doubt, 13 the finest body of men in Europe." Now, I wonder does Mr J. think himself better than the Lord Lieutenant. Quito possibly, Mr J. has received rough usage from the police in his time, but he should remember that they never new tact those requiring their attention, their duty to Her Most Gracious Majesty being before all else.—l am, yours etc., Oxii of tile Old School. Waiteti.