His Majesty's Gaol and Police Prison at Oamaru is a turreted structure of Oamaru stone, erected on a portion of the page 510 Police Reserve, which is from three to four acres in extent. The prison has accommodation for eight permanent prisoners, and there is plenty of room for casual offenders. The prison is under the charge of Constable Madden, who was born in 1862, in County Galway, Ireland, arrived at Port Chalmers, in 1879, by the ship “Auckland,” and was appointed to his present position in February, 1897.

The Oamaru Police Station is situated between the Courthouse and the Gaol on the Police Reserve. The building has been erected for upwards of a quarter of a century, is constructed of Oamaru stone, and contains five rooms, including the office of the sergeant-in-charge and his staff. Oamaru is the centre of the district which includes all North Otago, and Sergeant King, the officer-in-charge, is assisted by a staff of ten constables and one detective.

Sergeant Thomas King , Officer in chage of the Oamaru Police District, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1853. He joined the police force in Wellington, and had numerous appointments before being transferred to Oamaru in October, 1901.