The Hastings Standard PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1896. THE DISAPPEARING DETECTIVE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 31, 2 June 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1896. THE DISAPPEARING DETECTIVE.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The disappearance of Detective Kirby reflects against the vigilance of the police force of the Empire City. The detective was charged with a serious crime and although he was entitled to a freedom which his bail ensured, the circumstances called for special care. Unfortunately for the police of Wellington, this makes the second disappearance of a police officer due ill a great measure to their apparent neglect. About fifteen months ago Constable Murdoch managed to escape, and so mysteriously did he do that one could almost fancy that the earth had suddenly opened up to facilitate his exit. Detective Kirby appears to have done the vanishing trick with commendable skill, but in the interests of justice we hope that his retreat will be discovered. The escaping of prisoners and accused men have been rather frequent in the colony, for, besides the cases quoted, we have the escape of the notorious Jonathan Roberts from a southern gaol. In the Taranaki district a William Dale, who was bound over to appear in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, managed to disappear, and the bail, which was substantial was entreated. Samuel Trudgeon, of whom we have had some sensational news recently from Sydney, got away from the police, and within the last month or two a prisoner who was being taken from Palmerston North to Wellington secured his freedom cleverly dodging the police after alighting from the train at Wellington. There must be something radically wrong with the constabulary when such things occur. Of course, under iJie best regulated system there must

bo successful escapes, but with us the average of successful disappearances recently has been most marked. Detective Kirby will in all probability be captured, but that does not alter the fact that he has for the time being eluded the police. The police department wants, to use the vernacular, a " shake-up." The higher circles of tho department need it more than the men on the beat, and it is about time they got it.