In 1896 Government Quarters were built (at a cost of £243-16-5) at Fox Bay East to house the Stipendiary Magistrate and police. In 1902 George Hurst, the first Stipendiary Magistrate left Fox Bay (after constant complaints about the cold house and lack of fuel) for a post in Stanley, and at that point it was not intended to replace him. A Constable remained at Fox Bay for policing and customs He dealt with the stamps from a room next to the gaol in the constable's house, but was not entrusted with money orders which had to be acquired from Stanley. Dr Melville Keay and succeeding doctors dealt with these.

We know that the first constable was Constable Melin and he was probably replaced by Constable Riches in May 1902 due to Constable Melin's shortcomings.

Constable Melin
Letter to Constable Melin from Colonial Secretary 23 August 1897 offering him the post of Constable at the new Government station at Fox Bay.
Mr Melin
With reference to your application for Govt. employment in 1896 I am now enabled to offer the post of Constable and Revenue Officer in the West Falkland Islands, such appointment being terminable. You will be stationed on the West Falklands at a salary of £7 per month, free quarters and 2cwt of fuel per week, and the usual uniform. A free passage will be provided to Fox Bay but the cause other the amount shall be refunded if you relinquish your post from any other than illness not brought about by impropriety of conduct on your part. You will be subject to all instructions and standing orders as issued by the Stipendiary Magistrate non-compliance with which will render you liable to instant dismissal. Should you accept this appointment you should hold in readiness to embark on board the ‘Fair Rosamund’ to take up the appointment on the West.
Received.
Constable Melin's 'imipropriety of conduct' was a constant trial to George Hurst the Stipendiary Magistrate. One of Melin’s duties was Customs and clearing ships. On 14th February 1899 Hurst had to report to the Collector of Customs in Stanley ‘Sir, I regret to report that the Customs House Seal belonging to this station has been lost by Officer of the Customs Constable Melin. Melin cannot say whether it was lost overboard or on shore. I should be glad to be furnished with a new one. G. Hurst
By 1899 Constable Melin himself was in trouble and in court. Letter from G Hurst Stipendiary Magistrate to the Colonial Secretary, Stanley 19th October 1899
‘I have the honour to report that Messrs Packe Bros. have entered an action against Constable Charles Melin of this station to recover the  sum of £21.11.1d for debt and I have every reason to believe that he has contracted debts in other places. I would respectfully suggest that under these circumstances Melin should be transferred from Fox Bay, as it is impossible in my opinion for a Constable and Customs Officer to perform his duty with freedom when he is practically under the ? of his condition.’
Messrs Packe Bros v Melin in the Stipendiary Magistrates Court at Fox Bay (probably Melin’s own abode) 30th October 1899
Result: Constable Melin to pay the £21.11.1d plus 2/- costs by instalments of £3 starting on the first Monday of each month. Melin was late in paying the first instalment. Packe Bros complained but Hurst requested more time as Melin at Spring Point. Hurst also noted that Constable Melin was in debt to Mr Miller at Hill Cove. On 11th January 1900 Hurst reported that Constable Melin had paid off his debt to Packe Brothers.
4th April 1900 Hurst received a reply from the Colonial Secretary (all correspondence to HQ took time due to mails having to travel back and forth to Stanley on the schooners and this allowed subsequent events to evolve, before a solution to the first had been found).
With reference to the previous correspondence relating to C Melin’s conduct I now have the honour to inform you that Constale Riches will leave by the schooner of the 5th May to take up his duties as Constable and Customs under your orders on the West Falklands. Constable Melin should therefore be instructed to leave Fox Bay by the schooner on 28th April and as the continuance of his employment depends entirely on whether you can report les unfavourably upon him than on the 19th October last you will be good enough if necessary to so inform him and report accordingly.
Sadly, on 30th April 1900 Hurst had to send a last unfavourable report about him to the Colonial Secretary:
‘I regret to have to report that Customs Officer Melin has allowed liquor to be taken from the cargo of the barque ‘Samoa’ stranded at Spring Point contrary to my instructions. It was brought to my notice quite accidentally that liquor from the cargo was being consumed on board, as none had been entered or duty paid on any. I questioned Melin and he admitted that he issued 3 cases of beer. He has done this without referring or reporting to me.’

September 1915 William J Hutchinson applies for post of Constable at Fox Bay with a Good Character reference by Mr Thomas Stickney. Post was not vacant as it was held by Constable L. Barnes.

1915- 1916 E. H. Bound Constable at Fox Bay and busy decorating his quarters. He complains of the small grant of £1 for doing it and asks if post will be permanent before he carries on. During 1915-1916 the Magistrates and Constables houses were repaired and painted.

Sources include: Old documents at the Fox Bay Post Office, The Postal Service of the Falkland Islands- Robert Barnes, Report on the Blue Book for 1888/89, Falkland Rural Heritage- Joan Spruce with Natalie Smith, nationalarchives.gov.fk/Jane Cameron National Archives /Buildings/ Land/General/Early leases of land post 1842,nationalarchives.gov.fk /Jane Cameron National Archives /People/19century families

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