Name/Title

Police Tunic

About this object

Tunic; a NZ Police Tunic issued to Constable Lester James (Jim) Brazier who was in charge of the Mataura Police Station from 1935 until his death while on duty in 1957. Constable Brazier was well regarded and there are several anecdotes about him in our Society's book 'Mataura, City of the Falls' and in 'The Southern Beat: A History of Policing Southland and Lakes District by Michele Poole'. In the 1950s, Constable Brazier would wait at the Mataura Railway Station to screen seasonal freezing workers. If he didn't approve of them he would simply tell them to stay on the train and move on!

Jim Brazier was also a talented fund raiser. The local swimming pool fund benefited from demonstrations by the famous shearer, Godfrey Bowen. In 1947 and 1948 Brazier helped bring Jackie Marr, a champion Australian boxer to Mataura to fight NZ title holders. These fights and raffle sales netted enough money to buy and equip a new gym for Mataura.

The maroon ribbon on the left breast of the tunic is for Long Service and Good Conduct. Constable Brazier would have had an accompanying medal.

Maker

unknown maker

Maker Role

Manufacturer

Date Made

[?]

Place Made

[?]

Medium and Materials

organic, animal, hair, wool
processed material, metal
organic, vegetal, fibre, cotton

Inscription and Marks

printed inside white collar: 'Hosea / London'
police insignia on buttons

Technique

sewn

Technique

woven

Measurements

Tunic, 810 mm (length centre back)
500 mm (width across shoulders)
large
collar, l 400mm x w 40mm
small

Subject and Association Keywords

clothing/fashion/costume/dress

Subject and Association Keywords

police

Subject and Association Keywords

genealogy/personal and family names

Credit Line

From the collection of the Mataura and Districts Historical Society Incorporated.

Object Type

clothing

Object number

MT1996.135.2

Rights

All rights reserved