POLICE! POLICE!

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3242, 27 June 1872, Page 3

POLICE! POLICE!

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—For the comfort and safety of the public residing in the northern part of Dunedin, I would recommend the advisability of several policemen making constant rounds therein, as I scarcely ever saw one farther north than Dundas street; consequently there are none to call in cases of disturbance such as happened on the evening of the 24th inst. As I was going home about 6 o'clock on that evening, I was startled and shocked at the sight of two men struggling on the sidepath at the corner of Cumberland and Howe streets. There they were—not a soul within sight—tearing at each other like a couple of brutes. They must have commenced the fight very deliberately ; for they had carefully hung their coats on the adjacent fence. It must also have lasted a very considerable time, as both men presented a most horrible appearance, their faces being frightfully mutilated and streaming with blood. Both men were slightly intoxicated. One was lying on his back, while the other was sitting upon him, furiously hammering his face ; and but for the timely interference of another gentleman and myself, this struggle might have ended in the death of either one or the other. Next morning, when passing the place, I saw there, to my astonishment, several bunches of hair clotted with blood, also two collars quite red, and half a. dozen buttons. Now, surely such proceedings might be prevented by some of the idle policemen about Princes street being added to our North Dunedin Force, who evidently have too large a charge. —I am, &c,

M. A.