FIRES AND POLICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 71, 29 March 1921, Page 9

FIRES AND POLICE.

rTo the Editor.) Sir, —It is evident from the suspicious features surrounding the Grey Lynn convent fire that urgent precautions are necessary, and that the poliop. must be assisted in suppressing notorious dangers to lives and property. I would right here suggest that, say, 1000 special constables or private detectives be sworn in, having regard to the area where institutions exist, in the city and suburbs. A few hundred women could also be enrolled for the primary purpose of keeping a lookout for information that would identify such cowardly blackguards as the fire fiends. The "specials' , could be provided with certain kinds of whistles to enable them to raise a hue and cry where necessary. If this had been in operation on the night of the above fire, the man ( ?| seen running from the building could have been followed and cnptured. I would suggest that the matter be placed before the Commissioner of Police. Mr. O'Donovan. Insurance companies could offer substantial rewards, and the religious communities interested could enrol chosen members as detectives. Evidently secret service methods are now necessary in Auckland. Even meetings must Dβ watched. —I am, etc., PUBLIC SAFETY.