THE POLICE FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 9

THE POLICE FORCE

STRENGTHENING STATIONS

INCREASED STAFF AT KILBIRNIE,

During the Dunedin Exhibition a sergeant and eighteen constables were on special duty there. Now that the Exhibition has been closed these men are released for duty elsewhere, and to-day the Commissioner of Police announced several alterations and transfers in the Police Force. Mr. W. B. M'llvoney stated that, owing to the growth of the district and tho increasing railway and motor traffic at Frankton Junction, the police staff at that place would be increased by the addition of a sergeant and constable, making the total staff a sergeant and three constables. The increased staff would provide police attention at night time. Consequently, Sergeant A. E. Stark, of Mount Cook (Wellington) would be transferred to take charge of tho station at Frankton Junction. As additional police were urgently required at Hamilton, it had been decided to strengthen the staff there by three constables. For the purpose of filling these vacancies at Frankton and Hamilton respectively, Constables G. F. Atkins, G. Murray, and A. Andrew had been transferred from Dunedin, and when, the Exhibition staff was disbanded, another constable would be sent to Hamilton. Sergeant G. F. Boniseh had -been transferred from Dunedin to replace Sergeant Stark at Mount Cook. THE EASTERN SUBURBS. : . "It is recognised that more efficient police supervision is needed for tho eastern suburbs of Wellington,'' stated ; Mr. M'llveney. "At present there are constables in charge of Kilbimie, Lyall Bay, and Seatoun. Instructions have now been given that Constable Condon, of Kilbirnie, shall be transferred to Brooklyn to replace Constable M'Kenzie, deceased. It has also been decided that in future a sergeant and two constables shall be stationed at Kilbirnie. Sergeant W. Pender is transferred from the Taranaki street station to take charge of the Kilbirnie Btation with supervision of Kilbirnie, Hataitai, Evans Bay, Lyall Bay, Seatoun; and Miramar. In addition to the constables already at Seatoun and Lyall Bay, Sergeant Pender will have associated with him two constables residing in the locality of Kilbirnie station." AT BLENHEIM. ! "Arrangements have also been made to increase the staff at Blenheim, and .Constable W. J. Theyers is transferred from the Exhibition to Blenheim. Constable Kennedy) in charge of Ross station, having resigned, he is being replaced by Constable M. Power, of "Whangarei. Constable Power's position will be filled by the transfer of Constable J..H. Dennehy, of the Exhibition staff.'' For health, family,.and other reasons, the following transfers havo also been ma( l 0: —Constable 11. J. Harrington, transferred from Wellington to Auckland; Constable F. Forsyth, from Dunedin to Christchurch; Constable F ; J. Alexander, from Dunodin to Wellington. ■ Mr. M'llveney said it was not intended to' remove the staff from the Exhibition for at least a fortnight, pendj ing the. packing and the transfer of the valuable exhibits. from -the buildiug in which they have been stored. "The duty performed by the police of both branches at the Exhibition was excedingly onerous and trying," states the Commissioner. "Before the closo of the Exhibition on Saturday, the Commissioner addressed all -those who were employed on that duty, and conveyed to ! them the thanks, of.•- tho -.Department and his. personal : thanks for the straightforward, manly, and able manner in which they h,ad carried out their duties under most trying circumstances. He stressed the fact that no complaint of any sort had been made against any of the staff, during the Exhibition; no difficulty of any kind, had arisen; and there had been from accidents. '