LEAVING FOR SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 85, 11 April 1929, Page 11

LEAVING FOR SAMOA.

POLICE UNDERGO TRAINING. DAILY DRILL AT BARRACKS. TO REPLACE MILITARY FORCE. In uniforms of light blue, a party of 16 men of the New Zealand police force will leave by the Government motor ship Maui Pomare on Saturday afternoon, or whenever she takes lier departure for the tropical isles of Western Samoa. With certain additions from the ranks of the special military police party still in Samoa they will form a regular police force in the mandated territory for the purpose of assisting the Administrator in preserving law and order.

The party of military police which left about TO or 80 strong a year ago is about to be disbanded, and while the majority will arrive back in New Zealand during the next few weeks the remainder will join the regular police force. The party on the Maui Pomare will go to Samoa in charge of Sergeants YSaterson and Fell, of the New Zealand police force.

V\ itli only ten days in which to prepare this unit for service overseas, police officers and members of the military forces have had a busy time in Auckland. An indication of the popularity of the appeal is conveyed by the fact that over sixty applications were made in person and about thirty by members of the permanent police force. As selection was by personal examination, and time being a principal factor, it happens that those chor-cn are mostly from Auckland province. The men were selected by Superintendent Wohlmann on the basis of the New Zealand standard. which takes account of physical fitness, intelligence and general bearing. "They are an earnest lot of men. and I think they will do well in Samoa," was the superintendent's remark when approached by a pressman to-day.

Each forenoon during the past ten days this alert body of men has been undergoing an intensive course of training at the Drill Hall. With great vim they have thrown themselves into physical and recreative exercises, with close attention they have imbibed the essential principles of first aid to the injured, and with right good will they have undergone the routine of elementary military drill.

1 ho.-c responsible for organising this special force are leaving nothing undone which will stand the men in good :-tead ; n carrying out any branch of police woik which may be necessary in Samoa In the words of one of the officers, "They have been put through a stiff course of intensive military drill so that they will !>e able to move about in a lump with- ■ t looking conspicuous."'

So far as the active training is concerned. the instructors are aiming at -etting-up work which will produce symmetrical development and vitality. They have al>o to keep in inind the fact that an over-strenuous intensive course would produce undesirable reactionary effects. The instructors speak hijrhly of'the keen response which has hern made bv the men and especially of their mental alertness. "They will go forward for service." one of the instructors remarked, "a« a very fit bodv of men."

Each afternoon the tnembers of the t>art\ ha\ e attended at the police station for a special cour-e of lectures arranged by Superintendent Wohlmann with a view to instructing them in principles of police duty and in matter* which may be especially applicable to Samoa.

Many of the selected men have had military and naval experience, and some ha vp held good position*. "Yes." added Superintendent Wohlmann. "I think they will ail do well in Samoa."