A LIFE OF ACTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 299, 1 October 1935, Page 2

A LIFE OF ACTION

CONSTABLE’S CAREER.

THIRTY-SIX YEARS' SERVICE.

(Per -Press Association.) TAURANGA, September 30. After having completed 36 years’ service with the Police Force, Constable Arthur Skinner retired' to-day. In Tauranga, where he has been stationed lor 26 years and a half, he has earned the appreciation of the community for his close and able attention to duty. Born in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Constable Skinner came to New Zealand when 14 years of age, arriving at Dunedin by the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Kaikoura. For a time he resided in Otago and early gained prominence in Caledonian games, winning numerous prizes for wrestling, tossing the caber, putting' the shot, throwing the hammer and in other field events. Of exceptional physical fitness lie competed with distinction in Caledonian sports for about 17 years. On the Auckland Domain on January 1, 1902, he gained six first prizes for throwing the hammer, weight throwing, tossing the caber, putting the shot (Scottish and Irjsh styles) and wrestling, creating a double world’s record for throwing the hammer (161bs 7oz) 167 ft llin, and for throwing the weight (161 b) 40ft sin. At the time they were made these records created comment all over the world. While wrestling Constable Skinner met and defeated many champions. He drew with Harry Pearce, the Australian champion, after a contest of four hours at Auckland. When Carkeeb, the world’s champion heavy-weight wrestler, visited New Zealand he met Constable Skinner at Auckland, and although Carkeek was four stone heavier he failed to throw his doughty opponent, although they wrestled for some hours. It would take a volume to deal with Constable Skinner’s athletio feats, and this will be realised when it is stated that he has triumphed in 500 athletio contests and has oyer one hundred medals.

Constable Skinner entered the Police Department’s training depot at Wellington in June, 1899, and being a physical culture expert, assisted Mr O’Donovan, the officer in charge of the depot, and afterwards Police Commissioner, in the wrestling and jujitsu instruction of the recruits. He was transferred to Auckland in September, 1899, and after being engaged in street duty for some months was transferred to the wharf police, doing duty for five years on the waterfront. During that period lie saved four people from drowning and was granted one year’s seniority by Commissioner Tunbridge, this being a very singular and unusual reward at that time. He also received special commendation from the Department for his action in rescuing two women from a boarding-house which took fire in Auckland. While stationed at Auckland. Constable Skinner acted as physical instructor to the police, and as a result of his efforts was successful in having a fine police gymnasium established in Auckland. He was promoted to the detective branch in 1907, and had many important cases placed in his hands. One interesting episode in. Constable planner’s varied police career occurred in 1907 when he was detailed! to assist Detective Broberg in the search for a Maori criminal, Hare Matenga, who had been terrorising settlers in the Gis-borne-East Coast district by his depredations. For several years this man had been able to evade the local police by hiding in the dense bush in the mountainous country between Opotiki and Gisborne. Eventually it was decided to dispatch Detective Broberg and Constable Skinner to make a special effort to capture the offender, who was known to be armed. After about a week’s search in the heavy bush country, during which they had to put up with many hardships and privations, they succeeded in tracing and arresting their man. In 1909 at his own request Constable Skinner reverted' to uniform and was given charge of the Tauranga station. In 1911, while travelling on the Main Trunk train, he attempted at great personal risk to save a young woman who fell off the train as it was slowing down at Ohakune station. Constable Skinner saw the woman fall, and while the train was still in motion he dragged/ her from underneath a carriage, but unfortunately she had already received fatal injuries. But that was not the last of the eventful journey. When the train reached Newmarket another serious accident was averted by the promptitude of Constable Skinner, who rescued a young woman who slipped and fell while attempting to board the train when it was moving out of the station.

Constable Skinner was detailed for special duty in Waihi during the strike of 1912. in Auckland at the waterside strike of 1913, at Huntly in the strike of 1914, and was a member of the expedition to the Urewera country in 1916. Another incident in which ho took part was some years prior to coming to Tauranga, in 1901, when he was one of the parity instrumental in quelling the Maori surveying dispute at Kaikohe, when a large number of Maori chiefs were arrested and held until all arms were brought in and surrendered. Constable and Mrs Skinner wore entertained to-night by the citizens at the Town Hall, among those present being the Hon. C. EL Macmillan, member for the district.