POLICE.

West Coast Times, Issue 1659, 24 January 1871, Page 2

POLICE.

To the Editor of the West Coast Times and Observer. i Sir— Your correspondent " Subscriber" loes not> in my opinion, go far enough in iiis proposed reductions in the police force. Although the force is in particular "good jdor at the present moment, owing to the recent clever arrest and conviction of the imirderer Noble, still we should not be blind to the fact that a considerable reduction in police estimates is possible, without impairing the general efficiency of the body. I quite agree with "Subscriber" respecting the clerk to the police force, who seems to have little to occupy him, and who receives a salary of £250 per iHuum for performing work which should certainly devolve upon the SergeantMajor. If, however, some extra assistance is needed in the office there are pleniy of constables competent to discharge the iuties at the usual rate of pay, and such men would be always ready to erform any ather of the ordinary police duties. It seems an absurdity to pay a clerk when the total number of men in the force, insluding Inspector, is only thirty. It is also imperatively necessary to reduce the number as well as the pay of the Sergeants, and I believe I am correct ivh- n I state that the West'and Police glories in the possession of two Tnspe -tors, me Clerk, one Sergeant- Major, eight Serjeants, one Gaolor, and one caterer among its thirty members. Should any more Sergeants be appointed, the police force will strongly resemble the army of " Bombastes Furioso," and rank and file will be tiowhere discoverable. I am sure that ane shilling extra pay per diem *s ample remuneration for a third-class Sergeant instead of two shillings extra ; and, further, [ would ask why it is necessary that a Sergeant should be placed at a Station ilouc without any constable in his charge ? Surely a constable could do the work as well — witness the Kanieri Station.

You will no doubt agree with me that the pay of the constables is nut too high, and I sincerely trust that the Council will resolutely cut down the Sergeants both in number and pay, and will not commence their reduction at the lowest instead of at the highest ranks. Tf they pursue the course I have pointed out, the efficiency of our excellent body of police will not be impaired one iotn, and a gr at saving to the country will result. On the other hand, if the constables' pay is mluccd, the efficiency cannot be kept iip ; I'or after all some mu3t be drones, where so many officers are in command over so limited a number of men.

] am, &c,

MATHOS.