THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2561, 23 July 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION

SITTING AT TIMARU

(Per Press Association.) TIMARU, July 22. Tho Police Commission sat to-day. Dr. Teevan levelled a charge against Sergeant Mulaney (Christchurch), once a constable at Geraldine, in connection with a collision case in which a person drove bn a dark night five years ago into a trap driven by Dr. Teevan. The s doctor asserted that Mulaney chirked his duty to proceed. When forced to do so, the case failed, owing to clear evidence being unobtainable. Correspondence passed between himself and Commissioner. Dinnie, wherein the latter expressed regret at the constable’s neglect, .. and advised as to his having been censured ;, yet throe months later he iwas promoted sergeant. Twitted by Mr. Bishop about the case having been dismissed, the doctor asserted dramatically that such was the fact, though had the Union Jack been flying on the courthouse that day it would have dropped to half-mast. A charge was brought by Ellis Mills against Sub-Inspector Ureen of refusing to permit a prosecution against boys for destroying a haystack on the ground that two of them were the sons of prominent post-office officials. The charge was denied by Sub-In-spector Green, who explained that Mills wanted to obtain damages and did not want to prosecute the boys. Therefore the nolice could not assist him.

A further charge by Ellis Mills against Sub-Inspector Green for failing to prosecute boys for stealing bis exhibits from a show was denied, SubInspector Green explaining that the only evidence was that of Mr. Mills’ two boys, which was not sumcient to conduct a successful prosecution. Moreover. Mr. Mills had ho right to leave exhibits of vegetables, etc., at the show after closing,_ At the sitting of the "Police Commission this afternoon, evidence was given by Sub-Inspector Green, who complained that though he was senior, Sub-In-spector Dwyer had been promoted over his head to the position of Inspector. Why this was so he was at a loss to understand, as so far as lie was aware he had a clean record and Inspector Gillies had recommended him for promotion. Sub-Inspector Green suggested that ,a lot of irritation could be avoided in the force if • a board were established through which the men could appeal to the Minister when dissatisfied with their treatment at tho hands of tho Commissioner.

Sergeant Warring said that political influence was more rampant now than before tbo police had tho franchise. He did not think chief detectives should be allowed to compete against uniformed men for promotion, but should only be promoted in their own ranks. The standard of education should be kept as high as possible, as an educated force better than an ignorant one. The physique of the men now offering was note equal to that of candidates of 30 years ago. Gaoler Weathered advocated higher pay for constables, a fairer system of promotion to the rank of sergeant, that the house allowance to constables be the same as for detectives and sergeants, and ridiculed the suggestion of a constable in Dunedin who thought constables and sergeants should travel first-class. Gaoler Weathered characterised this as a piece of impudence, and said 1 he felt ashamed of it. He also complained that; he had been paused over in the matter of promotion. Constable Gilliespie (Temuka) voiced a strong complaint concerning the way he had been passed over and promotion given to juniors, though he had a creditable record extending over twenty years. He also' detailed a complaint that political influence had been brought to bear by ah ex-M.L.C. to get him shifted from Temuka, though it failed. Constable Gillespie put in the papers in connection with a case of alleged perjury against a constable formerly of South Canterbury but now of North Canterbury. He contended there should havq been a prosecution in this case.

Mr. Bishop said he would deal with this matter in Christchurch. The Commission went to Christchurch to-night. , •

THE COMMISSION AT CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 22

Mr. H. W. .Bishop, who is at present conducting a Government inquiry into pobce matters throughout the Dominion, arrived in town from Timaru by the second express to-night, accompanied by the Commissioner’s staff, Messrs J. Gray and W. Leslie. To-mOrrow afternoon, by the direction of the Commissioner, a parade of as many local and district police as can conveniently be mustered will be held in the station yard. The Commission will also inspect the office records relating to the Canterbury police before any evidence is called. It was the intention of Mr. Bishop to open a sitting of the Commission in Christchurch on Monday morning, but at the urgent request of Mr. W. Dinnie, Commissioner of Police, who finds it necessary to leave for Wellington to deal with an accumulation of departmental business, and solely to meet the convenience of that gentleman Mr. Bishop has agreed to postpone the opening until Tuesday morning.