E-ONE PENNY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 9

E-ONE PENNY.

TABLE TALK.

.mericaas invading Cuba. Another Cuban port bombarded. Outward' Frisco mail to-moirow. America is discussing war revenue. R.M.s: Alameda'from Sydney to-day^ Yankee troops land in Cuba to-morrow. The Spanish fleet is to be attacked next ■eek. ' ■:: " *

-London wheat market is dull, and prices leclniing. i Defence Commission are still inspecting die Auckland forts. ; Twenty-seven thousand American troopfc mve sailed for Cuba.

i To-day is the anniversary of the emptierj>f tarawera in 1886. " Tho entire Philippine group is in revolt^ Lgainst the Spanish. . The ■ Premier leaves Wdlirgton for christchurch to-morrow. ; It is stated that the gas appliances for radway trains willcost £30,000. '■ f Americans have successefully bombarded Eaimamera, on the Cuhap c^ffa ruL i(jE [A smalls- FORCR

rhoßev. W. J. Williams appeared and handed in charges against the police force to ho inquired, into, and signed by Mr Frank W. Isitt. Mr Isitt complainecl that the elliciency of the police force wan seriously impaired to the detriment of the public interest by the exercise of outside influence of a political nature, and also that the Jaws relating to gaming here had not been strictly enforced, and that the laws relating to the sale of liquor in the King Country and other native districts had been administered with special laxity. Ex-Commissioner Hume explained of the general nature of the charges. He wanted definite dates.

The chairman pointed out that many of 'the witnesses on the list submitted lived at a considerable distance from Auckland and could only be brought here at great trouble and expense. Mr Williams said that Mr Isitt was due to arrive here on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock'.

It. was agreed to hear Mr Isitt's charges on Monday at 10 a.m., all witnesses then to be in attendance.

A STRING OF COMPLAINTS,

Mr G. E. Bentley appeared and made a string of complaints in writing. He complained of the state of the lock-ups, the maimer in which prisoners are treated at the hands of the police, the indiscriminate herding" together of respectable and disreputable persons, confining of persons in the cells during the whole time of their detention, disgraceful condition of the watch house blankets, the inaccessibility to prisoners and the public of Inspector Hickson, the extreme difficulty of getting the police to convey messages to prisoners, Sunday trading, and tliegeneralincfliciency of the police, the occasionally unreliable police evidence, the hounding down of discharged prisoners, the evil results of prematurely supplying police infonuation to the press,

It was ajrreed to hear the complaints in the afternoon.

COMPLAINTS FROM ONEHUNGA

Mr .John Dean, of Onehunga, attended and lodged a charge that Sergeant Green used insulting language towards him. He also nude a complaint against a certain hotel at Onehunga for breach of licensing laws. It was agreed to hear evidence tomorrow.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE POLICE.

First-class Constable Edward Thos. Howell said that he joined the force in February 1895. He was in Christchurch and was transferred here last August. He represented mem hers of the force with other delegates. He submitted recommendations and suggestions passed at a meeting of the force} which it was contended if carried out would practically do away with the dissatisfaction whi'cli at present exists, viz. * (1) That classes in all ranks be abolished. (2) That the minimum pay of constables be 8s per day, and the maximum 9s per day, to bo obtained by a rise of 6d per day for each live years service up to 10 years," provided that in the meantime the constable had not misconducted himself, in which case the' Commissioner be empowered to retard him for a time in getting his rise; (3) that the promotion of constables to the rank of sergeant be left entirely to the Commissioner ; (4) the main points to be observed in regard to promotion .be eliicieney and length of service; (5) that constables and sergeants he compulsorily retired at the age of 60 years ; (ti) that the present system "of compulsory insurance be abolished, and a pension scheme, as suggested by Commissioner Tun bridge, adopted in its stead ; (7) that the period of animal leave be allowed to accumulate to six weeks ; (S) fiee travelling on the railways; (9) a lodging allowance of 10s a week to married constables; (10) that one suit of uniform and two pairs of hoots be allowed to all ranks every year; (11) that constables permanently employed on plain clothes duty be allowed ls per day extra; (12) that travelling allowance of Os per day while on temporary duty be granted ; (13) that constables on night duty be allowed time off in lieu of time spent in attending Court when they arrest a prisoner: (14) that sergeants and constables in charge of stations be granted an allowance for light and fuel, as they are compelled to keep the station open till 11 or 12 o'clock at night for the convenience of the public."

Constable Howell said the resolutions expressed the views of the force, and had been arrived at without dissent.

Third-class Constable Thompson, who joined the force in Auckland in January, 1898, and Sergeant Hutchison, who also attended as delegates, said the resolutions expressed the views of the men of the local force.