THE RUAWARO CASE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18586, 21 December 1934, Page 5

THE RUAWARO CASE

EFFORTS OF THE POLICE WORK RECOGNISED ; v _ SPECIAL LEAVE GRANTED (Per Proas Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Recognition of the work done by all members of tho Police Force who were on duty at Ruawaro in connection with tho investigation of the murders of Samuel Pender, Lakey and his wife, Christabel Lnkoy, in October, 1933, has been given by the department. Ail detectives and members of tho uniformed branch who served at Ruawaro aro to receive additional leave of from four to eight days, whilo two officers who played leading parts in the lohg inquiry, Detectives T. Sneddon and T. W. Allsopp, have been granted increases in their pay, to be retrospective as from April 1 of this year and records of merit. Official advice concerning the department's decision has been received by the superintendent of police in Auckland from the commissioner, Mr. Wohlmann. In his letter, the commissioner said: “In. view of the efficient manner in which Detectives Sneddon and Allsopp discharged their difficult duties in connection with tho investigation of the Ruawaro case, for which they were commended by the trial judge, which commendation raeets with the hearty endorsement of the department, it has been decided, in recognition of their services, to grant each a record of merit for tho exceptional detective ability and zeal displayed iu the investigation, and in the accumulation apd preparation of evidence.”

“Records of merit are received only in exceptional cases," Superintendent Till said. “They are few and far between.” He added that this form of reward really consisted of a special and highly prized note being entered on the officer's merit sheet. In his long experience, he could recall comparatively few previous cases in which it had been granted. There wero about 50 detectives and uniformed pien who had qualified for the special leave granted by the department, Mr. Till added. They would be permitted either to extend their annual leuve by thq additional days granted, or else they could take special leave separately. Mr. Till said ha had no information concerning the monetary rewards. He had not been advised concerning the payment of the sum of £IOO offered by the department for the finding of Lakey.