THE TARANAKI POLICE FORCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 58, 30 October 1880, Page 4

THE TARANAKI POLICE FORCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAB.

Bißy— Adverting to the eulogistic manner in which the Taranaki Herald endeavors to plsoe our police o&cer before the pablio, it is lamentable, and I cannot refrain

from commenting upon it, and stating

emphatically that such commendatory •expressions of opinion have not emanated from the public (as people at a distance might imagine), and although, as the Herald states, "Mr. Bullen has earned the respect of all classes of the community, and will be much missed when he leaves the place," not as yet have the people of New Plymouth shown any sympathy or regret at this irretrievable loss they are about to sustain. But, strange to Bay, in the case of our much esteemed constable (Dogherty), when it was known bis services were to be dispensed with, the residents immediately got up a very numerously-signed petition, urging the Government to retain him. By-the-by, it is stated that in this petition for ConBtable Doherty, a clause was inserted showing the Government how, in former dayß in Taranaki, when crime was more prevalent than at present, the duties were performed (and that satisfactorily) by a sergeant and three constables, and therefore the public could very well dispense with this officer's services and suffer no loss whatever. The Herald appears to

have a fair knowledge of the management of our poKw ofepwctmcrit, 'when it tf&tea that Mr. Bullen has placed it on a very different footing to what he found it ; thereupon reflecting discredit on his predecessor (Mr. Kenny), who gave such general satisfaction both here and in your district.

Now, Mr. Editor, if cleaning boots, • carrying water, &c, tends to place the force on a different footing to what it had been, I certainly give Mr. Bullen the p&hn. Again] in detailing the duties o£ constables, Mr. Bullen has also improved the force. Before he took over the district,- eaoh' and every constable took his turn of night duty, but now it is not so. In the annual offences return for 1879 for the Taranaki police district, the number of prosecutions appears to require the presence of a police officer ; but, sir, if from the total offences committed, are taken cattle and horses wandering, with other trivial offences of a similar kind, it would leave very little to be done even for a constable of any ordinary ability. As regards Mr. Bullen's connection with the force for a great number of years, the public are well aware that he is far off being the senior officer in his grade, and should certainly take his place and travel mth better area. — I am, <Sra., Straight Tip. Pungarehu Camp, Oct. 16.