POLICE INQUIRY BEGUN.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 160, 7 July 1909, Page 5

POLICE INQUIRY BEGUN.

PAY AIiEGED INSUETICIEINT. A DEFENDER OF THE FORCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) •INVERCARGILL, this day. Mr. Bishop opened the police inquiry to-day. Commissioner Dinnie was present on behalf of t.be Depar Cnient, and read a letter which he had sent to the Miiristeiy asking that in view of the serious and reckless charges which had been brought against himselt and the Police Department by certain members of Parliament, an independent tribunal should be appointed to investigate the reportj. and that the result sLould be made public through the Press.

Mr. Bishop said that no specific allegations had been made to him, and he knew nothing of the matter referred to by Mr. Dinnie except through Hansard and the Press. He would send notices to members of Parliament to attend and give the Commission any information that might be in their possession. Constable Scandrett, the first witness, said the pay was insufficient considering the nature of the work and risks, run. The cost of living had risen considerably. The conduct of the men here, he said, was exemplary, their physique was satisfactory, and there was no insobriety. Some time ago there was a case, and a man was removed from the force. He knew of no cases of political influence. He had heard that the same class of men did not enter the force as formerly, and attributed it to poor pay.