HISTORIC FYI

Don from Parklands - Marshlands

From "Manual of Police Regulations Canterbury 1862" which I republished [[KIWI 339]].

CHRISTCHURCH.
The City Police consists of one division which is under the command of the Officer in charge of the Christchurch district.
This division is subdivided into three sections, one for night and two for day duty, each of which is under the immediate charge of a Sergeant ; the sections are divided into beats, for the safety of which the Constables are held responsible.
The day and night duty must be changed every seven days.
The hours for duty are as follows :
Night duty.—From 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Day duty.—From 4 a.m. to 8½ a.m.
“ “ 8½ a.m. to 1 p.m.
“ “ 1 p.m. to 5½ p.m.
“ “ 5½ p.m. to 10 p.m.
During the night duty from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., the Constables must, without intermission, be under the strict supervision of the Sergeants.
During the first relief from 4 a.m. to 8½ a.m., the same course must be adopted.
The Sergeants, on the first day relief, must remain on duty until relieved at 8½ a.m., when they will march their men to the station before dismissing them from duty. They will also be in attendance at 1 p.m. and 5½ p.m., to place the men on their beats and march those coming off duty to the barracks.
The Constables, when on duty, must report verbally to the Sergeants in charge all occurrences appertaining to their duty which may come under their observation. They will also, on arrival in barracks, commit the same to paper, which must be given to the Sergeants of the reliefs, who will give it to the Sergeant Major, together with any other information on the subject.
During the day and night, the Sergeant Major, at uncertain hours, should visit the Sergeants and Constables on duty, and report the results in writing, at 9 a.m. each morning to the Officer in charge.
Two men will be employed during the twenty-four hours to remain in barracks and perform the duty of a reserve. Night duty to commence at 10 p.m. and end at 10 a.m. day duty to commence at 10 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. When it is found necessary to send the reserve man away from the station, one of the Sergeants must remain until his return ; the barracks must never be left without some responsible person.
It will also be the duty of the man on reserve to act as a Watch-house Keeper, and, in the absence of the Sergeant, enter all charges in the Watch-house Book. They will also be held strictly responsible for the cleanliness of the watch-house. It will be their duty to see that the prisoners pay proper attention to the general cleanliness of the place.