Changes had taken place in the police service. The death of Commissioner Peterswald in the year [William John Peterswald died 30 Aug 1896 aged 68, in North Adelaide, buried North Road Cemetery] was a great loss to the Civil Service, more especially to the Police Department, of which he had been the head for many years. His death was deeply regretted, for he was held in the highest esteem by the whole of the men in the police department.

Col. Madley succeeded him as Commissioner of Police. Like his predecessor, Col. Madley encouraged the men in rifle and revolver shooting. The police force had a strong rifle club, the members of which acquitted themselves well in contests, which often took place between them and the crews of naval ships when visiting our shores, and also with the local rifle clubs.

In 1900 Col. Madley gave as a prize, a fine silver cake dish for the best rifle shot at 200, 500 and 600 yards, to be competed for by the mounted and foot constables. I am pleased and proud to say that I was the winner of this handsome trophy, and also the long range prize.

The late Dr. Todd also gave a gold medal to be competed for by the mounted constables for the best revolver shot at 300 yards. M.C. Downing, who was then clerk at headquarters (Port Augusta) for the far northern division, was the winner. The late Mr. South (Protector of Aborigines), then a mounted constable, was second, and I came third. The scores between the first and third men were close.

Mounted Police Royal Escort.

In 1901 the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, now King George and Queen Mary, visited Adelaide. On that occasion Their Majesties were provided during the whole of their stay in Adelaide with a mounted police escort, which comprised of 18 of the mounted police. I am pleased to say I was one of those selected.

The late Commissioner Raymond, who was sergeant in charge of the police barracks, was in command Promotions in the Service. Prior to Col. Madley being appointed Commissioner of Police, all promotions in the service were by seniority. Provided the man who was senior on the list had no bad marks, he was promoted, irrespective of fitness or qualifications. This was felt by the majority of the men as detrimental to the efficiency of the service. Without a doubt some men were promoted to higher rank who were totally unfitted for it. Col. Madley issued an order that in future all senior men before being promoted to non-commissioned officers would have to pass an educational, as well as a law examination. This order was greatly approved of by the majority of the men, for it was felt that brains, ability, initiative, and zeal had counted for nought as regards promotion. Young men, who were possessed of these qualifications, had no hope of promotion, but through seniority, or waiting for dead men's shoes.

That order and the age limit were some of the best reforms introduced for the efficiency of the police force. Promotions prior to that were very slow. Men were often not only grey, but bald-headed before they got to non-commissioned rank, and many had be come totally unfit for active duty. How could it be otherwise when there were officers in the service who had been inspectors for more than 30 years. Take my case for instance, which was only one of many. I joined the service in 1877, and not until 37 years later was I appointed a sergeant, although I had passed the necessary qualifying examinations.

Rendering First-Aid.

Another wise and very important regulation introduced into the service by Col. Madley was an order that all police constables would have to attend a course of lectures of the St. John Ambulance Society on first-aid. He made it compulsory that they would have to pass the annual examination of the society, by the medical officers appointed. The knowledge, of this is of great and vital importance to police constables, for it often occurs that when on or off duty accidents happen, and that before a medical man is in attendance by their knowledge of rendering first-aid, a valuable life is saved, or the patient is alleviated from suffering unnecessary pain.

I am pleased to state that the knowledge I derived from these lectures and what to do in the cases of the apparently drowned was the means on one occasion at Henley Beach of saving the life of a young lad who was apparently drowned. I was also instrumental on several occasions of rendering valuable assistance, and relieving the sufferings of persons, who, unfortunately had met with serious accidents by having a leg or collarbone broken.

On October 21, 1903, a large and representative gathering, estimated at 1,000 persons, assembled in the Adelaide Town Hall to witness the annual demonstration in connection with the St. John Ambulance Association. His Excellency the Governor (Sir George LeHunte) who presided, was received on his arrival at the hall by a guard of honour, composed of members of the police force and Army Medical Corps. Dr. A. A. Hamilton, (examiner of the association), and Dr. J. B. Gunson (lecturer) acted as judges.

My Winning Squad.

'The second display,' said The Observer, 'was an exhibition of the treatment of the apparently drowned, by Sylvester's method. The competition was open to squads of five members of the city police force. The mounted men's squad was composed of five men from the mounted barracks with M.C. Le Lievre (demonstrator). The exposition he gave of the means to be adopted in a case of apparent drowning was exceedingly interesting and instructive, and the demonstrator's racy explanations of the details of the process caused considerable amusement. Five silver medals had been offered as prizes in this division, and at the conclusion of the exhibition, Sir George LeHunte stated that the work had been so well performed that the examining doctors recommended that a medal should be presented to each of the men comprising M.C. Le Lievre's squad. He congratulated the demonstrator of the winning team upon its success. ...'

'... The final number of a triangular bandaging contest of the metropolitan mounted and foot police. The subjects were a fractured leg, below the knee, and an improvised tourniquet on the upper arm for a bleeding artery. The judges awarded M.C. Le Lievre the first prize. The judges remarking that he (M.C. Le Lievre) had performed his task with characteristic zeal. In distributing the awards Sir George LeHunte remarked that, every one who had witnessed the interesting demonstration of first-aid, which had been given that evening, must have been convinced of the value of the association, for untold suffering might have been prevented in the past if the principles of first aid had. been more widely understood.'

Waterside Accidents.

In March, 1904, a little fellow, while bathing at Henley Beach, got beyond his depth, and would most likely have been drowned had it not been for the prompt manner in which a young man named Macklin jumped into the water and brought him to the shore. He was then quite unconscious.

I happened, fortunately, to be there at the time, and took charge of the body, removed it without delay to the nearest residence, and at once adopted first-aid in restoring the apparently drowned. It was fully an hour before he recovered consciousness. I then left him in the kind care of the women of the house after instructing them what further was to be done.

I was pleased to think that my humble efforts had been the means of saving this little fellow's life. No medical man was residing at Henley Beach at that time. The little fellow turned out to be the son of the Rev. John Watts, from whom I received the following letter, expressing his warmest thanks:—

'Methodist manse, Brompton,
March 7, 1904.
— My dear sir, permit me to tender you our warmest thanks for your invaluable services to our little fellow on Saturday at Henley Beach. Young Macklin's services were also invaluable, but would, I fear, without your skilled aid, have resulted only in saving the body from the deep, but your help brought back the just-departing life. I did not know who you were when I met you in the room on Saturday, and now hasten to offer you our heartiest gratitude for your never to-be-forgotten help. Again our many and warmest thanks, and permit me to remain,
your most gratefully,
John Watts.'

Another of these accidents happened to a little girl, Agnes Castle, daughter of Mr. Henry Castle, gardener of West Marden. She had fallen off the end of the Henley Beach Jetty, and was rescued by a Mr. S. Barnes with great difficulty, the child having sunk twice.

I took charge of her and resorted to first-aid. After she had regained consciousness I handed her over to her mother, who was present, who afterwards took her home. The parents expressed to me their sincere thanks for restoring to life their little one, who was apparently drowned.

I Leave for Salisbury.

After having been for six years at Henley Beach, I received marching orders to proceed to Salisbury, and take charge of that police district. A general police order had been issued, that after the expiration of six years, police officers in charge of stations were to be removed to a new district. Prior to my departure a farewell social was tendered me by the residents of Henley Beach and surrounding district. A report of this appeared in The Register of April, 25, 1904:—

There was a large and representative gathering of residents of Henley Beach, Grange, Fulham, and surrounding districts at Henley Beach Hall on Friday evening to bid farewell to M.C. Charles Le Lievre, who has had charge of the town and district during the past six years, and who, through the effluxion of time, is being removed to Salisbury. Mr. John F. Mellor presided, and spoke in eulogistic terms of M.C. Le Lievre, whom he thought would be difficult to replace. He had made many friends, and the fearless and impartial manner in which he had carried out his duty over a large area of country extending from Glenelg on the south, to the outskirts of Port Adelaide on the north, and to the suburbs of Adelaide on the east, had won the admiration of all. His knowledge in connection with the Court was extensive, and, therefore, useful in assisting the local Magistrates in keeping peace and order. M.C. Le. Lievre was an adept in first aid to the apparently drowned and injured. He had gained two police medals (first prizes for the best demonstration of the art awarded by the St. John Ambulance Association. He wished M.C. Le Lievre and his wife and family health and prosperity in their future sphere.

Messrs. W. H. Holmes, W. W. Cottrell, R. Martin, T. Cragen, Hennig, A. W. Ralph, Bairns-father, Capt. S. A. White, and others spoke in praiseworthy terms to M. C. Le Lievre's ability and tact.

M.C. Le Lievre, in rising to respond, was received with cheers. He thanked all for their good wishes. He knew he had made friends in the district, but he was agreeably surprised to find that he had made so many, and he could hardly express himself in words to thank them for their friendly feelings towards himself, his wife, and his family. He may not have pleased every one, but he could safely say that he had tried in every way to do his duty. Three cheers were given for the departing constable.

Mrs. Le Lievre was not forgotten in the demonstration of praise, as it was recognised that she had been a good support to her husband. The recognition of the residents in this direction bore a practical form of a silver hot-water kettle, mounted on a stand with spirit lamp complete, and bearing the following inscription:— 'Presented to Mrs. Charles Le Lievre by the residents of Henley Beach and neighbourhood on her departure from the district.'

An illuminated address and marble clock was also presented to M. C. Le Lievre. "Dear Sir— On the eve of your departure from Henley Beach, where you have resided for the past six years, we, the undersigned, on behalf of a large number of residents, beg your acceptance of the accompanying marble clock and illuminated address as a small token of our respect for you, for the able and fearless manner in which you have fulfilled the duties of guardian of the peace in the districts of Henley Beach, Fulham, and neighbourhood, and to make known the satisfaction we have at all times felt in the way you have discharged your official duties. We earnestly trust that the future years of Mrs. Le Lievre and yourself may be crowned with the happiness and contentment which you both so well merit and deserve. Signed.— A. F. Grey, L. Playford, S. J. Peters, A. E. Rowell, M. Stanford, John F. Mellor, J.P. (Chairman of Committee), and Hugh H. Grey (hon. secretary), April 15, 1904."

Minor Accidents at Salisbury.

While stationed at Salisbury, nothing of particular importance took place worth my relating beyond the usual routine of police duties. In June, 1918, the North Adelaide Football Club visited Salisbury to play a match with the local team. It is astonishing how simple accidents will sometimes occur. The ground on which the game was being played was exceptionally hard. Several of the visiting team were having a few preliminary kicks before the game had started when one of the players slipped and fell heavily to the ground. It was apparent that he was severely hurt, for he was unable to regain his feet.

I happened to be on the field, and at once went to the injured man's assistance, and found, after examination, that he had broken a leg. As the local medical officer, (Dr. Hunter) was away from the township, I took charge of the injured man and rendered first aid, made improvised splints, and bandaged his leg with my ambulance bandages. After having made him as comfortable as I could, I had him removed to the railway station, where I made the necessary arrangements to have him conveyed to Adelaide for medical attention. In the meantime Dr. A. Verco. who had been apprised of the accident, arrived, and ordered his removal as he was to Adelaide.

The Commissioner of Police received a complimentary letter from the hon. secretary of the North Adelaide Club expressing their appreciation of what I had done:—

North Adelaide Football Club
Premiers 1900, 1902, 1905.
Finniss street. North Adelaide,
June 3, 1908.
Sir— By the direction of the committee of this club, I have the honour to bring the following to your notice. On Saturday last my club journeyed to Salisbury to play the locals, and during the game one of the players of my club (Mr. H. Malesky) had the misfortune to meet with an accident whereby his leg was broken. In the absence of Dr. Hunter, the local medical man, Corporal Le Lievre took charge of the case and rendered first aid. He went to no end of trouble in bandaging the limb, thereby relieving our man from much pain, and did everything in his power to make Mr. Malesky as comfortable as possible until the arrival of Dr. A. Verco from the city, who complimented the corporal on his efforts. My club now desires to tender its best thanks to Corporal Le Lievre for his kindness and attention, and will be glad if you will convey same to him. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant.
B. G. Lamprell.

The Commissioner (Col. Madley) sent the letter on to me with the following comment: — 'Glad to see this.'

While at Salisbury several youngsters when playing in the local school grounds had the misfortune, to fall and fracture a collarbone. They came to me and after having informed me that Dr. Hunter was away I applied first aid and bandaged them up. Having done so, I would impress upon them that on the return of the doctor they were at once to go to him. I mention these cases to point out what a great importance the knowledge of first-aid is to a police officer, for he is thereby not only able to relieve those who have unfortunately met with accidents, but also alleviating unnecessary pain when a medical man is not always available.