CO129-392 - Governor Sir May - 1912 [9-10] — Page 131

10.

Criticisms.

A.

121

Ün the adequacy of the Protective Force of the

Island.

B.

On the suitability of the Station Buildings:-

(a) From a Folice point of view.

(b) From a health point of view. ›

0.

With regard to 4.

On the actual disposition of the Force.

In ordinary circumstance of civil peace the force is probably sufficient to perform the necessary Police routine duties and has done so since 1999 without disaster. But at any

time of riot or disturbance the force has no reserves and there

is no telephonic or telegraphic communication with any place from

which help could be quickly obtained.

As for being adequate to stem a serious raid by & body of armed Len it is possible that ssconced together in a compact and suitable building the force could defend itself and its valu-

-ables.

In the present buildings and taken by surprise such a

force would only have a bare fighting chance hardly worth consider-

-ing.

With repára to 2.

(a). From & Police point of view.

The Buildings are not at all suitable for a Folice Station. They

are hemmed in by lanes and houses; there are many entrances; the

whole front is completely open; the charge or guard room where the

arms, ammunition and safe with its valuables are kept is only

composed, on the two inner sides, of thin wood scantling and

lattice rafter work.

The sliding door of this room has no lock or even bolt.

The three sets of rooms are separated by narrow passages into which persons might obtain entrance from the roofs of joining premises.

(b).