PRAISEWORTHY CONDUCT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1931, Page 6

PRAISEWORTHY CONDUCT.

It was good to see that the authorities in the earthquake-stricken , districts have paid tribute to the excellent work of the police and fire-brigade officials during the disastrous period. Anyone who visited Napier and Hastings in those dread days could not fail to be struck with the efficiency of the police and the calm manner in which their duties were performed amid surroundings that had upset all former notions pf civic life, and when the temperament —and the tempers —of the inhabitants had been subjected to a very severe strain. It speaks well for the morale of the police force of the pominion that such conduct should be accepted as a matter of course. At the same time it is but fair that full recognition should be given when the police force js subjected to severe strain and proves equal to the test. The same may be said of the fire brigadesmen. Those present in Napier 24 hours after the first big earthquake and fire who observed the methodical manner in which fire brigade officials were salvaging what they could from their own burnt oiit station and were rendering what help was possible in various parts of the city must have felt assured that discipline and efficiency had not been overwhelmed. To say this is by no means to detract from the excellence of the aid rendered by the naval officers and men. They had, however, the usual amenities of shipboard life uninterrupted, and they had the benefit of- working in groups and in conformity with rules that needed no adjustment. For the police and fire fighters circumstances were more difficult, and they had often to deal singlehanded with a difficulty or emergency as it arose. It is good to think therefore that when the history of the disaster is reviewed in calmer perspective their work, and that of their volunteer assistants, has received just recognition and some measure of the appreciation it deserved.