POLICEMEN AT PLAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14132, 6 August 1909, Page 6

POLICEMEN AT PLAY.

SCENES I.N AUCKLAND BARRACKS, ,-■ • ■'.-- i ■ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CULTURAL A sonorous bass voice, singing to a rousing pianoforte accompaniment, and the click, click of billiard balls in an adjoining compartment met the ear of a Heeald representative the other evening during a ' i . visit to the Auckland Police- Bar* racks. A glowing warmth permeatl * ed . the atmosphere, and the stalwart specimens of muscular mankind, whose' turn it was to indulge in evening recreation did so -with an ap. parent healthy enjoyment and a pleasing display of esprit de corps. At nine p.m. 14 constables and two sergeants formed up for the late shift, and, ai-.er passing inspection, proceeded out into the night - ' to relieve their comrades, and to be wherever duty might call in the name of ■ law and order. The incoming batch were not very long in preparing to seek the' solace of slumber, and by 11 p.m. every light in the sleeping quarters had ceased to flicker. '

"We are very snug up here," one of " the men remarked, as he opened the door which led to his neatly-kept cubicle. All • was clean as burnished brass, ventilation as well as light, was amply provided for and with it all the only signs of feminine influence were in the direction of several tastefully-framed photos.presumably the "cosy-corner girls" of the man in blue. . Each of the other 40 cubicles on the top floor proved to be practically a fac-simile of the one described, and when another ; member of the force spoke of the "barracks as "Home, sweet home," the writer >\ had reason to credit him with sincerity.' ! Bathrooms and a sickroom, which, by the i way, is consistently deserted, are also provit. ded up aloft. Alargemessroom, with a wellappointed kitchen attached, was inspected down in the basement, but stilt no signs of feminine handiwork were visible. This band of bachelors in reality demonstrates >! its independence of the other sex. > ,\ ; The number in barracks is 40, and, be- : ing comprised of the unmarried members of the force, youth is mostly on their side. " Full of health and vigour they are, in fact", • a body of men which Sir Robert Peel, ' could he but glance down the ages, would | surely be pleased to claim as disciples. The total strength of the Auckland district, apart from Inspector Cullen, SubInspector Hendrey, Chief Detective Marsack, and Station-Sergeant Treanor, is 17 sergeants, 127 constables, nine detectives, and three acting-detectives. .-;•■ > "A continual stream of policemen pass through the station," an officer remarked, ■■ "what with interchanges from one station to another and the drafting out of - men who .are succeeded by newcomers from the depot." He said that the force.contained a large percentage of Australians, and some immigrants from the Old Country had successfully passed the rigid tests, which were regarded as more difficult in New Zealand than :in any ; force in the f world, with the exception, perhaps, of theq+ Royal Irish Constabulary. Two of the brightest departments in the .- Auckland barracks are the . readingroouv£? and library. The former possesses a nicetoned piano, and there are not wanting musicians and vocalists among the socially disposed inmates. Use of the billiard table in the library produces a revenue of over £50 a year, and the amount is placed towards the purchase of books, gymnasium' outfit, etc. The library shelves are well stocked with literature, varying from the ; historical. records of the rise and c fall ? of -3-i

the Roman Empire and the v classics to the "j lighter works of Mark Twain and Artemus Ward. Much . time ; . is spent :among the ; books. Considerable patronage is accord- 7 ed the gymnasium hall, J the principal!! forms of pastime being handball, , wrestling, '";; boxing, ball-punching, etc. The provision of the 1 piano ■ and billiard table, due to ';' the generosity of Inspector Cullenln financing their purchase, and to the enterprise ;, of the ■ men in - providing the . necessary funds by debenture. "*' "']