THE GAOL INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 192, 14 August 1911, Page 6

THE GAOL INQUIRY.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTED. At the Magistrates' Court this morning the Board of inquiry, consisting of _\ius.->rs. C. C. Kettle, 8-AL (chairman), ana d. (J. Cutten, fc>Ai., set up to investij;jlu a number of charges of alleged miscuniiuct against a Mt. Eden gaol warder, continued its sittings in camera. The inquiry opened on (Saturday at the prison when, it is understood, the accused official requested to be supplied v>nh the names of his accusers. borne dunculty appears to have arisen over tins, and an adjournment was granted for the point to be settled, there being apparently a disinclination to pat anyone ill i,he position of prosecutor.

The difficulty was got over by the appoiutment of Mr. Selwyn Mays, who appeared on behalf of the Department of Justice to-day. Mr. W. K. Hackett, we understand, asked to be permitted to appear for a number of the warders, but the Board would not permit. The difficulty was overcome by Mr. Hackett consenting to act as assistant counsel to Mr. Mays. Under the circumstances, Mr. Lundon, the solicitor for the man against whom the charges are levelled, applied for a sh<jrt adjournment at an early stage of the proceedings, in order that he might obtain the assistance of another solicitor. Permission was given, and the Board adjourned for a while, Mr. Quartley eventually appearing with Mr. Lundon. At the opening of the proceedings this morning, we believe, Air. Hackett objected to the presence of the gaoler at the inquiry, and the Board acceded to this request. The charges against the accused warder are, it is said, of an exceedingly grave nature, and include one of alleged immoral relations between the official and a female prisoner. The Board will in all probability sit until as late as 10 p.m. to-night.