IMMUNITY FROM CRIME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 26

IMMUNITY FROM CRIME.

HONOUR TO CITY AND POLICE. “The Comissioner has approved of my recommendation that the uniformed police on duty at the Exhibition should remain there, m full strength, until the exhibits are packed and removed,” remarked Stlpni-intendent Mathieson to cur representative on Saturday. ‘‘ln 40 years’ experience in the Police Force, I have never known a more successful gathering lasting over six months. It has been due to the uniformed force and detectives that the Exhibition has been such a success. Criminals who managed to get into the city left in a hurry. Dunedin, consequently, has been practically immune from crime. Great amounts of lost property have been recovered by the police. ’/ I say most emphatically that I am proud of the achievement of the police,” contained Mr Mathieson. “They have •lone well. They are a body of men who can be entrusted with important matters.” The uniformed men on Exhibition duty, total ling'so strong, together with Superintendent Mathieson and Sub-inspector O’Halloran. gathered in an informal way fd- the Police Station at the Exhibition •*n Saturday morning, when Mr MTlveney (Commissioner) addressed them. He conveyed the thanks of the Justice Depart* vne-ot for the splendid manner in which they had performed their duties since the opening of the Exhibition. The Commissioner expressed his satisfaction of the untiring efforts of the men during all we.athers, under the most trying circumstances, not only at the Exhibition, but in’the different parts of the city, in controlling the vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Mr M‘llveney extended to the uniformed men and to the detectives his warmest thanks for the zeal and energy displayed and the courtesy and attention shown to the public, whose servants they were. “I am proud of you, collectively and individually,” concluded the Commissioner. Prolonged applause was given by the men, and they subsequently asked the Commissioner to allow Senior Sergeant Ciarkson and the non-commissioned officers who had clone duty at the Exhibition to re. reive a presentation of framed paintings of the Exhibition on behalf of the members of the force of all ranks. The Commissioner gave his consent, and made the presentation. He expressed his approval of the. sentiments which had prompted the men to make the presentation. They had been on duty over an extended period in one of the finest cities of the southern hemisphere—a city whose beauties were immortalised by the great poet, Tomas Bracken.