THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam," DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 583, 30 October 1863, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam," DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30.

Comparisons . unfavorable to this Province have frequently been drawn, with respect to the administration of its affairs. Almost every department of Government has come in for invidious comments; and the examples afforded by the more fully developed colonies of Australia, have been held up to the people of Otag', as safe guides for conducting the affairs of the Province. But there is, one branch of the Government of Otago, which for efficiency and admirable management stands alone unsurpassed by any otner colony in the world, and quite .unapproached by the colonies of Australia. We refer to-'the Police Department. When we contrast the administration of police in New South Wales in Tasmania, and even in Victoria^ with that of Otago; when we consider the comparative immunity from serious crime which this Province has enjoyed, and compare it with the wretched disorganization prevalent in the Australian colonies, we must come to the conclusion that the people of Otago have just reason to be proud of their, police force. We remember that when the first great influx of population from Australia to these shores took place, Otago was looked upon"by the rest of New Zealand as likely to become a perfect sink of iniquity, and den of thieves. The old residents in the Province almost mourned over the gold discovery, in the dread with which they regarded the sudden flooding of the Province, by a large male population from the Australian colonies. The settlers spoke regretfully of the days in which they could dispense with locks, bolts, and bars, and looked witlr no little trepidation to the time of insecurity they' fully believed had arrived. We need hardly say how all these doleful anticipations have resulted. Otago at the present moment presents a condition of general security of both life and property enjoyed by no othercolony to so great an extent. But this position has only been secured by unceasing efforts and sleepless vigilance. The anticipations of the early residents were to a certain extent* justified by the circumstances. A large heterogenous population was pouring in, and the facilities for the prevention and detection of^rime were, at that time but very j inefficient, and unequal to the altered circumstances of the Province. It was rightly supposed that this flood of life would be extensively tainted with the criminal class, and that the Gold Fields of Otago would hold out temptation to the bravos and desperados of the Australian Colonies. Such was no doubt the case* there can. be question, that at one time there was an influx of the worst class of criminals. Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales, all contributed their contingents of thieves and assa?sins who hoped to find in Otago a lucrative field for their operations. But for the prompt action of the Government in the organisation of an efficient police force it is highly probable the worst anticipations of the colonists would have been been realised, and Otago might have rivalled New South Wales in notoriety for crime and insecurity. The judicious arrangements of the Government, and the singular good fortune which attended its selection of officers and men speedily placed a powerful barrier against the spread of crime and violence. We venture to say, that considering the sudden emergencies which constantly arise in a country in a time of excitement, such as Otago has passed through, the infrequence of serious crimes, and the few instances of escape from detection and punishment which have occurred in the Province are almost wonderful. But the public only see the results, they can form but an inadequate concepts of the vast amount of vigilance, care, and perseverence which requires constantly to be exerted in the preservation of law and order. Were this relaxed ever so slightly the effects would speedily be seen in the increase of crime, and it would be a difficult task to retrieve the position of present security if once it were lost. Look at the case of New South Wales, what a melancholy picture it presents. Substitute for bushrangers, brigands, and for New Wales, Naples, and all the civilised "world Would unite in denouncing the Government which was unequal to the preservation of order within its own dominions. It is difficult to ascribe the present disorganised state of that colony to any particular direct cause. Much is due to the infusion of convict blood, and to the facilities for escape in an extensive continent; but the utter inefficiency of its police arrangements is undoubtedly the secret of the fearful prevalence of crime in that colony. The bushrangers appear to have established a perfect reign of terror, and the authority-of the Government is openly set at defiance and its officers treated with supreme contempt. Thank goodness we can show a very different j state of affairs in this Province. The very , men who are now causing a perfect panic in

New South Wales have borne testimony to the efficiency of the police arrangements of Otago. Only the other day one of these villains, the notorious Gilbert ; stated to a person whose house had been " stuck up " that he had " gone to New Zealand to be out of the way, but there he was hunted like a native dog, and he had to ily from that country and come back to where he was known." And Gilbert is not the only one who has found this Province too hot for him, and we may say without exaggeration that Otago is by no moans a pleasant residence for a known thief. It is quite possible that this state of protection and safety is secured at. the cost of occasional tyranny and persecution, but such cases are rare, and proceed not from, the system so much as from the fault of individuals. But the public can well afford to look over these minor circumstances, and recfignise only the comparative immunity from crime the Province enjoys. Many are the deeds of bravery performed by the police of Otago in the execution of their duty. Some of the ■men have sacrificed their lives in the service, which at all times an onerous, isoftena highly dangerous one. We constantly read of single constables preserving order in communities of rough unscrupulous men, and arresting, under great odds, criminals of the most violent character. The inhabitants of Otago certainly owe a debt of gratitude to the police, and have a right to be proud of the distinction the force of this Province has acquired, by the efficient manner in which law and order has been preserved. The whole police force o Otago numbers about 200 men, not a large force when the nature and extent of the Province, and the scattered character of the population are considered. ,