THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2549, 9 July 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION

SITTING AT INVERCARGILL. [Pick I’kkhs Association.] INVERCARGILL, Julv 8. At tlic police inquiry Inspector Mitcliell expressed the opinion that the competition between men doing office duty and those on uniform duty was unfair. He suggested that a clerical staff be provided, with a grade of its own, distinct from other branches. Sergeant McKenzie deposed that the pay was too low and promotion too slow.

Mr. H. AV., Bishop finished taking evidence in the police inquiry here today, and adjourned the Commission until next morning in order to give Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P., an opportunity, if he desired, of coming from Christchurch to cross-examine Constable Connel on the allegations made by that officer when giving evidence on Wednesday. Mr. Laurenson, however, tele-

graphed to Mr. Bishop that lie will give evidence before the' Commission in Christchurch. The Commission will, therefore, eit in the morning, and immediately adjourn to Dunedin. Mr. Bishop will leave for Dunedin by the afternoon express, and spend all Saturday investigating the police records there. He will hear evidence on Monday. He expects to be greatly assisted in his inquiries by the evidence to be given by Mr. Arnold, M.P. Mr. Hanan, M.P'. for Invercargill, was specially invited to give evidence here, but intimated that he had no suggestions to offer that would assist the work of the Commission.

This afternoon Mr. Bishop paraded the members of the force at the police station for inspection, and afterwards made a thorough inspection of the station premises. He expressed himself very pleased with everything lie saw, and was favorably impressed with the hearing and appearance of the men on parade. James Reynolds Stuck, a retired farmer, giving evidence before the Commission to-dav, alleged failure on the part of Inspector Alitchell to pro.l - investigate a charge made by Stuck in regard to wnat he_ believed was a breach of the Marriage Act. Stuck’s allegation was that against his will his daughter had been married by Dean Burke in the Catholic Church before eight in the morning. He alleged also that the police -were all tarred with the same brush (the Catholic brush), and had sought to shield Dean Burke.

Inspector Mitchell said that full inquiry had been made, and that he could not take proceedings on the evidence available. Statements had been made by the contracting parties and ■witnesses of the marriage that the ceremony had been regular. The Commissioner of Police had inquired into the matter bv direction of the Minister of Justice (Mr. McGowan), and had given no ’instructions. Inspector Alitchell had advised Stuck to see a solicitor, and he had seen the Crown Prosecutor, who advised that the evidence was not sufficient to sustain a charge. Mr. Bishop pointed out that the matter was barred in any case by the Statute of Limitations, and that the Commission could only concern itself with the alleged neglect of duty on the part of the inspector. The matter would remain open until the examination of Detective Alcllveney, who was here ut the time and made inquiries at Inspector’s Alitcheli’s instruction.

Evidence given by four sergeants in the Southland police district disclosed general satisfaction with the methods of promotion, but a feeling that it would be advantageous to increase the rate of pav in order to induce a better class of applicants for enrolment.