The Kanieri Tragedy

Northern Advocate, 9 October 1941, Page 4

The Kanieri Tragedy

THE news that a sergeant of police and two constables were shot dead and another wounded when answering the call of duty near Greymouth yesterday, will be received witli regret by the people of the Dominion. The tragedy, the worst in the annals of the New Zealand Police, should bring home to everybody the risks attendant upon membership of the Police Force. An officer of the law may appear to occupy an easy and privileged position ns he keeps beat on the streets of town or city during quiet days, but it should not he overlooked that he may at any moment be faced with a task involving death or disablement in an endeavour to maintain the order which alone makes possible the safety and comfort of a community. Happily, the occasions upon which police officers have lost their lives have not been numerous which is a matter for thankfulness, but the liability to serious injury is always present. At the moment it is not possible to weigh up the circumstances of the ti'agedy at Ivanieri, but it is clear that the sergeant a!id constables were present in response to an urgent call. Sincere sympathy will be extended to the bereaved families and likewise to the Police Force, among the members of which there exists a strong sentiment of fellowship.