Alf's Button

NZ Truth, Issue 1175, 7 June 1928, Page 6

Alf' s Button

THERE'S a tall, gaunt figure to be 1 seen at some part ,. of the day m

Queen Street, Auckland, but its presence is not due to the lure of citybustle or shop-window display.

So might we pass by Chief Detective Alfred Hammond, ignorant of the fact that two dark, sharp optics are sifting the multitude with the piercing precision of the experienced sleuth.

It is 33 years since Alf., as he is known to his large circle of friends spreading the length of the; Dominion, joined the legion of batonists and braceleteera.

From a term with the Wellington detective branch, he took a grip of the sceptre of law and order for Featherston, which, as a one- constable station, meant everything but acting as magistrate. Five and a-half years of this and he went back to sleuthing.

A. H. has been 15 years stationed at Auckland, and some months ago took over his present charge. His popularity with all branches of the service is shouted from the house-tops, and figuring m the court-room or outside investigation, ■ Alf . never loses sight of the beacon-light of "a fair go."