Boot and Saddle by JG GilberdArmed Constabulary
With the departure of the British troops from New Zealand in 1870 the defence of the country was in the hands of the Armed Constabulary, which was raised in 1867 under the authority of the Armed Constabulary Act, and so became the fighting force for the colony. It eventually comprised nine divisions, each of 80 men, and included a number of mounted units. Large scale operations against hostile Maoris had diminished but there were still skirmishes in many areas, and as these were scattered over a wide area the use of mounted men became a necessity. At this time with peace returning to the colony many new settlers arrived in the country, so the Armed Constabulary also took on the duties of a Police Force to ensure law and order prevailed in the settlements and also at the goldfields. Mounted detachments were used as escorts for the gold that was moved from the mining areas to the banks. The ranks in force at this time were
The Depot was in Wellington which was also the headquarters of the Force. At the Depot all entrants went through a medical examination, were kitted out with uniform and equipment, and underwent a course of drill and weapon training. Jim Gilberd, 1989 |
