February 1999 Volume 80 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
Wise Men Go West
By David Marr

from last month

The travellers, weary from their journey, entered a side gate through the walls of Bethlehem. They were signed in under the guise of affluent Phoenician traders. Once clear of the gate they set about arranging suitable accommodation at the Bethlehem Central Arms. The licensee looked closely at Gallio but failed to see through his growing beard and the other aspects of his disguise.

The four budding commissioned officers booked into commodious accommodation befitting their assumed status before meeting together downstairs. Readers will recall Decurion Gallio already knew Bethlehem well. Quietly but confidently he led Balthazzar, Melchior and Gaspar to the stable where the ostler had already accommodated their camels.

Confidently they entered but were taken aback to find the stalls only housing the transport animals of tenants. Their quarry, the young parents with their baby had gone. Gallio promptly made enquiries through the licensee, Mr. Abraham Oberoi, as to this family’s most recent whereabouts. The local barracks were able to advise the family remained in town and were temporarily renting until the baby was old enough to travel. The young father was apparently a carpenter from Nazareth.

The acting tribunes rode out on their camels into peak Bethlehem traffic conditions the next morning. They were immediately abused by a traffic patrol monitoring vehicle flow through a roundabout - the camel’s lumbering gait causing a temporary restriction. Within 20 minutes they arrived at the family’s home address to find it located adjacent to the Bethlehem Plaza, the city’s largest shopping complex. Parking spaces were difficult to find and the four decided to tie up to one of the central hitching posts provided.

Those from the Far Eastern Divisions unpacked their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and with Gallio acting as spokesperson, proceeded to the front door. They were permitted entrance and made their presentations. Furtively they gained their classified information and were enjoying the family’s hospitality when they became aware of the sounds of a general commotion. Soon the unmistakable sounds of agitated voices and cow horns blown by patrol legionaries demanded their attention.

As politely and quickly as possible, the four dismissed themselves and made their way from the dwelling. To their amazement Melchior’s large bull camel had broken free and appeared to be systematically kicking in the panels of any chariot or cart near him. There appeared a lot of highly agitated people trying to free their vehicles and remain out of reach of the rampaging camel. Several patrol legionaries were present but appeared to have little hope of controlling this rogue ship of the desert.

Gallio pushed forward quickly, instructing the nearest legionary to spear the berserk camel and save the owner massive insurance claims. “I know you might have good intentions, sir, but I don’t take orders from civilians. Now please leave the area or be prepared to accept the consequences.”

Meanwhile, the huge camel continued to wreak havoc in the parking lot.

To be continued.

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr Tel: 8364 3567
	Senior Police Chaplain.
Academy 8	Mark Thomas. Tel: 8296 9616
Adelaide: Angas Street 158	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide: Hindley Street 62	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Adrian Stephens. Office: 8398 2517
Berri 212	Vacant
Ceduna 214	Bob Borgas. Tel: 086 253 503
Christies Beach 20	Vacant
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke. Tel: 088 423 681
Communications 172	David Hand. Tel: 8295 6992
Elizabeth 52	Stephen Brooks. Tel: 041 884 0739
Far North 210	Tony Redden. Tel: 08 8672 5011
Focus 21	Richard Lawton. Tel: 08 8363 2536
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke. Tel: 085 222 288
Glenelg 22	Malcolm Thomas. Tel: 8377 0772
Henley Beach 18	Brenton Daulby. Tel: 8443 8286
Holden Hill 44	Tony Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
	Rod Dyson. Tel: 8365 1170
Kadina 71	Mark Dickens. Tel: 8823 2513
Kingston 208	Richard Dutton. Tel: 08 8767 2590
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth. Tel: 087 231 353 (W) Tel: 087 252 537 (H)
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill. Tel: 085 325 536
Naracoorte 208	Keith Brice. Tel: 087 622 303
Norwood 60	Bob George. Tel: 8362 2227
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald. Tel: 085 621 011
Para Hills 46	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Plympton 14	Ian Dempsey. Tel: 8210 8108
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake. Tel: 8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Vacant
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Shirley James. Tel: 08 8641 0146
Port Lincoln PS 214	Rob Packer. Tel: 08 8683 0302
Salisbury 53	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Sturt 12	Brenton Williamson. Tel: 8270 4316
Tea Tree Gully 48	Paul Hammat. Tel: 8396 4141
Thebarton Barracks 32	Joe Grealy. Tel: 8338 3225
Transit Division	Wayne Shepherd. Tel: 8443 4895
Unley 28	Max Bowers. Tel: 8272 8324
Whyalla 218	John Dunckley. Tel: 08 8645 2500