A FURTHER REQUIREMENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9117, 10 April 1901, Page 2

A FURTHER REQUIREMENT.

It is time- that representations were made to the Government with regard to an increase in the strength of the local police force. Whilst the population of the town .and district has more than, clou-, bled in • the intervening period, tliti strength df tho force remains' the'same as it was fourteen or iifteen years ago. Gisborne itself has largely extended its boundaries, and there is a wide area of country to he patrolled. We do not know that there has been any considerable increase in crime during the pa&t decade; indeed, we think there lias^-bcen a,decrease so far as offences of more serious moment are concerned; but frequently cases are reported of petty thefts, assaults, and acts of hooliganism -winch would have been prevented or suppressedif. there had. been more police about the town. We Lave, heard of several cases of midnight prowling about residences in the suburbs, and feel sure fchat if the offenders knew there was a man on duty to .keep a watchful eye on the residences in the outskirts of the to*ro, into whose arms they might at any time ran, there would be less of this sort of thing. -As it is, the force is barely sufficient to enable the business~portiou of the main street to be efficiently guarded night and day, and there are no men: available for Mich necessary special work; as we have, suggested. We. tnink, if the • matter were property represented to the j Department, .they -would see good reasons . [for sending another one or "two guardians j of law and order to- Gisborne. „