CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 4940, 2 January 1879, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents.] TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In looking over the 'Morning Herald' of the 24th inst. I observe a paragraph in reference to the remnant now re•nainingof the Otago police force that accompanied the late St. John Branigan to this Province. It may be interesting to your readers to know a little as to their history. Mr Branigan arrived in Dunedin about July 1, 1861, accompanied by two exmember3 cf the Victorian police, one of whom waß afterwards known as Sergeant Major Bracken. In consequence of a requisition made to the Victorian Government, for a further re-inforcement, Captain Standish, Chief Commissioner of Police, issued a circular calling for volunteers for service in the New Zealand police. Accordingly about 200 made application for service—out of the number fourteen were selected, live City men, and nine from country districts, two sergeants, and twelve constables. They were paid off on the 28th August, 1861, and on or about the Ist September following, they paraded in uniform at the Richmond depot, where they were inspected by Captain Standish. After inspection they marched to the Queen's wharf, where they took departure; and after a passage of three weeks arrived in Dunedin. On embarkation they were accompanied to the wharf by many of their old comrades, feveralof whom followed shortly after in their track. They were not told, as the former were before leaving, should any man feel dissat sfied with the change he could return within the space of three months/ rejoin, and his 'services stood good. One or two chicken-hearted individuals paved the way by obtaining three months' leave of absence.

Now there is not on? of the staff (seventeen in number) serving in the NewZea* land constabulary. Some lie mouldering it their graves ; others are scattered, not known where gone t o. One of the sergeants, afterwards so well known (William Nixon Morton, inspector) who was held in high estimation by his comrades in arms, but, like the leader whom ae followed, breathed his last within the ' alls of an asylum. His comrades had not an opportunity of showing that respect, as was done on former occasions, of erecting to his memory a tomb or pillar, showing the spot where rests the dust of one who long served his country as a true and faithful servant—one who performed most active duties, both in the general police and detective force in the early days of Victoria, when there was duty to perform.—l am, &c,

JoHtf Cassels. South Dunedin, December 31,