THE POLICE FORCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 155, 29 December 1910, Page 8

THE POLICE FORCE.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, — The Empire City is again to the lore in showing up in its true light the brutal conduct capable of being meted out by some constables when effecting arrests. Cuba-street was again the scene. of the latest "Russian police methods," and from an onlooker's point of view, and no doubt the prisoners', too, they were, a disgrace to any civilised community. Such- treatment a& was indulged in of dragging a handcuiMTm'an along' the' sfcreet'like a' sack of sawdust or a log of wood might be good enough for the country ruled over 'by the Tzax, but it should not be toleiated in this Dominion. This matter should not be allowed to rest so far as it .has gone, but those responsible for dealing out inhuman treatment should bo brought to book by the heads of the Department. -If three policemen and two detectives ■cannot efiect an arrest in/ai' proper manner, it is 'time they! were called '.upon 'to "pull out" and make -room, for men who could exercise some tact. When it was found the man ,was,, hard, to" handle why .did they not obtain a conveyance? The press seem •to- -have been, misled into stating- that an. attempt was made by the police to get a vehicle, but I can assert no move was made 'in that direction. I am sure if the arresting constables had only asked some of those present to render assistance, they would have done so in preference to seeing the unfortunate man maltreated as he was. At one time it Was a marvel that he had not his skull fractured on the edge of the kerbing, as he went ov-er the edge of the- gutter, knocking a woman over in so doing 1 and landed' with a policeman on top oi him. ."vVhafc caps all in connection with this disgraceful business is fining a man £4 jot endeavouring to lift the prisoner on hifi feet. It is. a matter for r-sgret that presiding . magistrates do not" go more Jully into- cases before so readily inflicting fines. Ample evidence would have Leon obtained to show that no person attempted to iestrict these particular policeman in their duty, but exception ■wan taken to ihe v.ay in which they carlied it out. — I am, etc., DISC4USTED. .Wellington, 26th December. ' There are not, presumably, many readers who have not hsard of. the "famous* establishment of William Whiteley in Westboume-grove, Eayswater. Laige as it has been, it will in twelve months' ■time be very much larger htill, for the fq|indation stone has been laid of a great, building adjacent to the present one. to which it is, intended to tianster the entire business (write.': a London correspondent). iWiten this buiLling is completed the store will be the largest, in the world. Tho cost of eroction is set down at a quaitei* of a million, and when completed - tho establishment will afford employment to 6000 people. The work of erection is to hi} carried on day and night in order that the premises may be ready for opening to the ptiblic next October. There will be liiree domes, rising to a height of 150 feet, and the central one will be a reproduction of the famous Santa Mr.rin. Delia Salute in Venice. It is asserted that, by a.. method, of lighting similar to that which illuminates tho tomb oi Napoleon in Paris, an effect of constant mellow smv light will be secured in the hall beneath the dome. TVrere will be no fewer than 24 passenger lifts to convey the public to the noorA above, and tha aim h to make this the most perfectly equipped shopping »rea to be found anywhero. There arc to be reading and re:-.t rooms, refreshment «wl sinok*ns; rooms, nn Italian garden on th^ roof, v'ith real lawns and flower be,ds, palms and shrubs, where visitors can enjoy light refreshments and smokes and comfortable lounge?. On the top floor there is to be a playground for children, where mothers can leave them while they do,.their shopping, rocking horses and toys of all kinds being provided for the ■us?, of the youngsters. ulbo heaps of sea pand. in which they may delve and fancy that they are at, the seaside.' Another up-to-date novelty, will be afforded by -oi wiieiess telegraphy 011 the roof. General Booth, for all his years and trouble with hip eyes, is still a hard worker. In the mi'dale of November he was in Berlin, and addressed large meetings. The people greeted him warmly. Subsequently the general described his pfert for A reform of penal 1 systems- with the object of rebuilding the moral character of the criminal outcast, iie hoped before his death to._ accomplish much good in this direction in Geimany as well as in other countries. , At 2 o'clork to-morrow Mr. W L. Robertson will sell by public auction in his rooms. Manners-street, furniture, pinao, cutlery, s'nd general m??diyad)B9i