THE POLICE FORCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2500, 13 May 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE FORCE.

AN INTERESTING CASE

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, May 12. '

A case which excited considerable interest was heard before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon. Two constables, John Edward Watson and Wm. Joseph Gardiner, were charged on the information of Sub-Inspector'Phair, with having unlawfully assaulted Wm. Rolf at Wellington on May 10th. The same defendants were also charged, on separate information, with having assaulted Florence Beatrice Rolf at the same tnne and place. Inspector Ellison appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Wilford appeared for the defendants, who- pleaded not guilty. Mr. Wilford said the case was an important one. _ The men, though constables, were in civilian dress at the time. The whole of their future depended on the Tesult. The defendants were served with summonses yesterday morning. He bad bad two interviews with them, and it was impossible for him to defend them properly at such short notice. Witnesses from the s.s. Kaipara bad also to be called. An hour or two ago fresh evidence had reached him, which he had not had timeto trace, and he publicly protested against such extreme haste. Inspector Ellison said that two of the witnesses were seamen on the Kaipara. He had no objection to the case beino- adjourned after their evidence had been heard. The vessel would leave Lyttelton for England on May 20th. ~ , Air. Wilford urged that- the defendants wore entitled to have a propei defence put up, even if it involved keeping the witnesses from the Kaipara. His Worship agreed that it was only reasonable that defendants should hai e every opportunity of preparing their dofciio^. After dieiission it was decided to adjourn the hearing of the case until 9 15 p.m. on the 17th inst. “ it is understood that the charges arise out of an incident which took .place in the vicinity of the Post Office on Monday night, when the informant Rolf took exception to the treatment which, it- is alleged, the two defendants were meting out to a third conconstable. All of them were m civilian attire The female informant is saicl to have also received some injuries to her face in the disturbance. The two defendants are under suspension pending t-lic nennng o cases.