POLICE SUPERVISION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 89, 25 May 1877, Page 3

POLICE SUPERVISION.

(to the editor of the akaroa mail.)

Sir, —Being one of those who signed the form recommending Mr. Antonio Rodrigues as a fit and proper person to hold an Hotel license I was surprised at .seeing in print that a lambing-down case had happened at Rodrigue's Hotel. I don't reokon to sign these papers without some grounds, and I would not be doing myself justice.or Mr. Rodrigues were I to

let such a statement pass unchallenged. I have known Mr, Rodrigues and family for some years, and I certainly cannot speak unfavourably of them. He has been an hotel-keeper for years, is thoroughly well up in his business, has a large family to support, and does.so creditably. But it was not on this I wanted to speak, as on the way the police does or ought to do their duty. Were the police doing their duty in allowing P. Geoghan to be tumbling about, the streets for four or five weeks? Are they doing their duty if they drink with him ? Are they doing their duty when playing billiards at hotels ? Are they doing their duty' when throwing dice for money and drinks at hotels? Hear what His Honor Justice Richmond said when addressing the Grand Jury on the opening of the Westland Supreme Court, while speaking of the social standing of the police ; he also spoke of their retaining their respectability, and although what I now quote was spoken eight years ago, it is very applicable now when the Government are about lowering the pay of the police, which, in my opinion, will have a very detrimental effect. Mr. Justice Richmond goes onto say. It would almost appear that we owe a debt of gratitude to Victoria for our excellent police organization, for from Victoria Otago first obtainsd its police. In 1861, very shortly after the opening of the goldfields, the force in that province was very excellently organised, and in these advantages Canterbury subsequently participated, and from there it extends to this district. I have been rejoiced to observe that the social standing of the police is so exceedingly good. Some people no doubt, fond of old institutions, preferred the old state of things, and would rather have seen the old catchpoles retained, but we are quite safe from any danger of a gendarmerie being created amongst us—a thing of which the very name is hateful to Englishmen. We may tolerate a little affectation of military names and organisation. lam quite content to hear the police station termed a " Camp," and a constable in attendance at this Court an " Orderly," and to see something like military pride infused in both men and officers. It is highly desirable to keep up the self-respect of the force ; and I repeat that I am glad to see the police constable taking so good a social stand. He certainly does occupy a higher social position here than in the old country, and it is exceedingly necessary that the law should be respected in the person of even the humblest of its officers. Now that so large a measure of self-government has devolved on you, I hope that whatever economy it may be found necessary to exercise, you will be careful to maintain the efficiency of the police expenditure on gaols, police, &c, though not directly reproductive of wealth, was of more importance as securing that which leads to wealth. The County Council should remember that this expense, like roads and bridges, does not directly bring grist to the mill; still by keeping up this institution you preserve more than wealth—your constitution. * ° Much depends on doing your duty—l speak to you as representatives of the district — in retaining the police on their present respectablefooting —men not only of sound mind, possessed not only of courage, but of discretion, who will justly be looked up to by the population generally. It is not necessary to select men of bodily strength merely, but such as will maintain a respectable position and respect themselves. Apologising for trespassing so long on your space—l am &c, VIGILANS.