AN OFFICIOUS POLICEMAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12084, 2 July 1901, Page 7

AN OFFICIOUS POLICEMAN.

TO THE EUITOII, Sin,—l notice in your issue to-day, under the heading of "Polico Items," that at a special parado Mr Commissioner Tunbajgo highly complimented both officers and men of the police force on the excellent manner in which, they had performed 1 their duties, and 1 think that the general public will endorse all that has been said in tlicir favour; but thero ar.o always exceptions to oycry rule, and I wish to call attention to tho extraordinary behaviour of 0110 of tho policemen who wcro stationed at tho entrance to tliq railway station. Ho was most offensive in his treatment of tho ladies and gentlemen tbat were assomblcd there to get a last look at tho royal visitors. There was not tho lead, disorder of any sort., but wheii all were lined up as quietly as possible this officious individual would push the lino baok in tho most brutal manner. Among those present was an old Maori woman (Mrs Chicken, from Fuketcraki, over 80 years old), whom tho audience kindly allowed to rauko way to the front, only to bo immediately Eet upon by tho offioious policeman, who several times pushed tho old woman back. Hov/over, fortunately for her, the Govomor's A.D.C. (Captain Alexander), Imppenod to sco tho oceiirrunce, and immediately stopped tho policeman's rough treatment, and brought the old woman forward, so that on the arrival of the Duke and Duehees sho not only had a goud view of the party, but they shook hands most heartily with the old Maori and epoke a few land words to her. The actions of the other policemen were all that could bo desired, and were a striking contrast to the one I refer to. Whon epcaliing of this occurreuee to a frioml of mine (a J.P.| he told me that ho witnessed similar actions 011 tho part of another policeman, and ho had takon the man's number, with, a view to reporting him.—l am, etc., ' CiTlZKir.