BURGLARS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10600, 8 March 1895, Page 3

BURGLARS.

TO THE EDITOR. Snt,-—The prohibitionists need hides as thick as alligators to repel the constant attacks of the enemy. The lutesb charge against that much-maligned body is that ot being responsible for the recent burglaries through causing the exchange of the detectives. I would like to have Inspector Broham’a opinion as to whether an action does not lie against the above party for assisting or compounding felonies. To bo serious, however, I might point out for the information of the uninitiatsd that the party simply forced the Government to give effect to the recommendations of their officer, Commissioner Hume. That gentleman has all along opposed the residence, for lengthened periods, of members of the force in one place. It ia also against his wish that the police should do duty in the same district as their relatives. The retention of the two detectives would ba a. continued violation of both the foregoing, and the prohibitionists followed the course above indicated. If they have done ■ wrong they are sinning in good company. I would also like to draw the attention of your readers to the fact that under Detective O’Connot’a rdgime burglary was not an altogether unknown quantity. As a matter of fact, it must be in the memory of all how, about twelve months since, the citizans and suburban residents here were almost paralysed with fear at the alarming extent of undetected burglary of a most serious class. I find, according to the last Police Report to Parliament, that there were for 1893 261 cases reported for the colony and only 90 convictions* and that the number of cases reported shewed an increase of 96 over that of 1892; and the principal increase of this class of crime was found ia this well-protected Christchurch. Verily a change of the detective staff was necessary when burglary increased 35 per cent in a year. However, we now have appointed here two worthy, zealous officers in Chief-Detective Henderson and his abio assistant Mr Maddern, and we will never have cause to complain, but rather for congratulation, at the action of the Government and their co-sinners, the Prohibitionists. —I am, &c., BULL’S-EYE.