OUR GAOL AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7003, 26 July 1884, Page 3

OUR GAOL AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

TO THE EDITOE. Sib, —When the Royal Commission sat to inquire into gaol matters, it was suggested by the writer when giving evidence " that the more the public knew of the working of gaol and police systems the better." I notice tßis is fully borne out by a Quarterly reviewer, writing recently on the London Police as follows :— : " The whole population of the metropolis are reporters for the newspapers, and when an act of undue interference occurs on the one hand, or flagrant neglect of duty on the other, there i 3 always some correspondent at band to give it publicity. Trash and slander appear, and sensational articles are founded upon distorted statements; but on the whole the spirit of the public Press, in- this as in other respects, is fair, honest, and truthful. And this vigilance of the Press is of material service in maintaining the efficiency of the force. Every communication in which specific facts are stated is made the subject of careful inquiry and a special report to the chief commissioner, and thus defects are corrected, un- ! worthy^rnen are cautioned or discharged, and the whole force is improved in quality." As all citizens should interest themselves in the wellbeing of the community, will you kindly allow space for this letter ; and in askingtbis 1 have no wish to detract from Colonel Reader the apparent satisfactory results of the present police organisation, which has placed the force somewhat beyond political influence ; but as a change of Government 13 imminent, I hope the , "fads" (for when seriously thought out they are nothing else) of each inspector being I allowed to take on what sergeants and constables he pleases, and so bring about the favouritism of the old provincial dava, will not for one moment be entertained. If so, united action, so essential to wellbeing of police, will vanish, and all the departmental savings of the past, four years be thrcv/n away. It is far more economical having one training centre than five or six.—l am, &c, -rv j- t 1 n - Citizen. Dunedm, July 2a. P.S.—Local administration can bo brought about by allowing mayors of boroughs and chairmen of countieß some control. C.