For Chatham Islands

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 267, 10 November 1941, Page 6

For Chatham Islands

DISTRICT CONSTABLE SELECTED Selected out of a considerable number of applicants, Constable W. E. Fell, now stationed at Feilding and formerly of Palmerston North, is to proceed to * the Chatham Islands as constable in charge. The position, which is one of oiucn responsibility, is regarded with favour by many men in the Police Force. There is a community of about 600 persons, about half of them Maoris, and the others Europeans, at the Chatham Islands.

Of tho group, only two are inhabited —Chatham and Pi'tt Islands. They lie about 500 miles due east of Lyttelton, and the climate is described as being very akin to that of Wellington. Constable Fell’s appointment is scheduled to be for not less than live years. Inspector H. Scott, officer in charge of the Palmerston North police district, was the constable in charge at the Chatham Islands in. his earlier days of service. At that time his position carried with it 19 Government appointments, but this number has been reduced somewhat since. In those days, also, communications were much more restricted, but there is now a wireless Station on the islands and consequently there is not the necessity of relying only on the steamers calling. Sea transport, however, is naturally more restricted than formerly. Constable Fell is well-known in the Manawatu as a Rugby football player. He was a member of the Old Boys Club and wore the Manawatu representative jersey. He has taken a keen interest in the Evergreens Club, which draws its membership from former representative players now residing in teh district. He married while in Palmerston North.