NEW ZEALAND POLICE FORCE

Evening Star, Issue 22720, 6 August 1937, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND POLICE FORCE

A VISITOR'S TRIBUTE FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BAYLY CASE RECALLED [Per United Press Association.] " WELLINGTON August 6. A glowing tribute to tne efficiency of the New Zealand police was paid by Sir Herbert Layard Dowbiggin, a former inspector of general police in Ceylon, when interviewed prior to his departure last evening for Christchurch. Yesterday he was shown round the various departments of the New Zealand police headquarters, where a number of probationers are training for the force. “ There are 122 men in training at the depot at Trentham,” he said, “ and 1 think what most impressed me was their magnificent physique. I am a very keen Rugby follower, and could not help thinking what splendid material they would make for New Zealand’s national game. Another thing that surprised me was that these trainees are m charge of only two sergeants. It is a remarkable feat for two men to be able to train such a large number efficiently. I take oft my hat to them.” He said that one of the best features of the training camp at Trentham was the gymnasium, which was the property of the Defence Department. It was wonderfully complete in all respects, and was one of the most complete buildings of its kind be had seen. The men who built and furnished it must have known their jobs. When told it was about 18 years old he was even more impressed. The fingerprint and photographic departments were both notably efficient, he remarked. Photography had become one of the greatest factors in criminology, and New Zealand should be proud of the fact that it was well up with the latest advances in that science. He described it as really in the very front rank of crime detection and other branches. In the Bayly case the highlight of the case was when a piece of wood was found, which had borne a bloodstain. The accused had attempted to remove the stain by outing the wood with a knife. Photographs and demonstrations established that the knife used was the same as the one found in the accused’s homo.