"A Policeman's Lot."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3258, 17 July 1889, Page 3

"A Policeman's Lot."

According lo Mr Gilbert, 'a policeman's lot is not a happy one." However that may bo hero, it is true enough, on tho other sido of the Atlantic, where recently ninety stalwart young follows presented themselves beforo the Now YorkMunicipal Hoard to encounter the physical examination which all candidates for the Now York police Ji force must undorgo, There they I ' found fivo doctors and three or four officials, surrounded by instruments that looked like business. The names of the candidates wero ontered in a foimidablo looking book of statistics, and then the men wero in turn stripped. Next every man was measured to get lys height, sizo of neck, width of shoulders, girth of chest, circumference of limbs, toes; and biceps, Then tho candidates had to put up big dumb bells until they were tired, and afterwards grab a ■dynamometer and squeeze it to show their grip. A mattrass was stretched out and tho men had to lie do mi and hold up a dumb bell, to see how long they could do it. Then they had to jump to show their agility; " pull themsolves up to their chins," to show that they were not tired; after which a "sec-how-liard-you-cau-blow machine" wasbrought forth, and tho puffing and sweating candidates blew for all thoy were worth, At this stage of the ordeal ono ol tho oxarniiiing doctors applied his stetlioscope to try the hearts of the panting candidates, and they were told that if they wanted to bo city policemen they would have to pass a mental examination. Jf they passed both ' they would bo put on the eligible list, where others are waiting for vacancies, which don't often occur.