Occasionally individual acts have hitherto shown an antipathy to the Watch which has had a very unfortunate effect in its results. It has been the language used by those men on the Bench. It was not that his Worship had aught to complain of in the conduct of the Watchmen. On the contrary, when appearing before him in the Witness box they publicly showed how much they deserved commendation and thanks by their bravery and discretion. But Mr. Smale objecting to the system, which apparently he did not know was established by law, blamed the Watchmen for their praiseworthy conduct.
The Chief Watchman applied to me to show what they could do, and I could only tell them that they must continue to do their duty. The result, however, was disastrous. From that time they fell off in their activity and energy. They still patrolled the streets, but the number of arrests were few and of practical use, but that use is, compared with former years, diminished.
Regarding the discipline of the Corps, it has always been good: