LIFE OF ACTION

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 5, 1 October 1935, Page 6

LIFE OF ACTION

Constable’s Remarkable

Career

RETIREMENT TO-DAY

By Telegraph—Press Association. Tauranga, September 30

After having completed 39 years’ service with tihe police force, Constable Arthur Skinner retired to-day. In Tauranga, where he has been stationed for 291 years, 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 tho New Zealand Shipping Company’s Kaikoura. For a time he resided in Otago aud 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, he 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 Irish styles) and wrestling, creating a double world’s record for throwing the hammer (161 b. 70z.) 167 ft. Ilin., and for throwing the weight (161 b. 40ft. bin. 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 Carkeek, the world’s champion heavyweight wrestler, visited New Zealand he met Constable Skjuner at Auckland, and although Carkeek was four stone heavier he failed to throw his doughty opponent, although they wrestled for some hours. Constable Skiuner has triumphed in 500 athletic contests aud has over 100 medals.

Constable Skiuner entered the Police Department's training depot at 'Wellington in June, 1899, and, being a physical culture expert, assisted Ml. O’Donovan, the officer in charge of the depot, and afterwards Police Commissioner; iu tlie wrestling and jiu-jitsu instruction of the recruits. He was transferred to Auckland in September, 1899, and after being engaged in street duty tor some months was transferred to the wharf police, doing duty for five years on the waterfront. During that period he 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 boardinghouse 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 at Auckland. He was promoted to the detective branch in 1907.

One interesting episode in Constable Skinner’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 jn the Gisborne-East Coast district by his depredations, lor 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 disnatch 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 bad to put up with many hardships aud privations, they succeeded in tracing and arresting their man.

In 1909 at his own request Constable Skinner reverted to uniform aud was given charge of the Tauranga station. In 1911, while travelling ou 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 fata] 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 at Waihi during the strike of 1912, at 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 he took part was some years prior to coming to Tauranga. in 1901. when he was one of the party instrumental in quelling tho Maori surveying dispute at Kaikohe, when a large number of Maori chiefs were arrested and held until all arms were brought in aud surrendered.

Constable and Mrs. Skinner were entertained to-night by the citizens at the Town Hall, among those present being the member for the district, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan,