THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10060, 11 June 1898, Page 8

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION , TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, June 10. Before the Police. Commission to-day, G. E. Bentley, who described himself as a journalist, said that during a two and a half years' stay in Auckland he had been on numerous occasions suffering from alcoholism, and had frequently been in the kick-up. He complained that there was no provision for treating persons in the cells tor alcoholism, as the prisoners were herded indiscriminately in the cells. Hβ complained that the blankets in the Auckland watchhouse were in a filthy condition. Prisoners were not allowed exorcise, and urgent messages from prisoners to friends were not delivered. Bentley said that from his own knowledge he did not think there were more than three or four hotels in Auokland that were not open on Sunday, morning and evening. He also said that he had reason to believe .that five deaths occurred in the watchhouse cells in Christchuroh from alcoholism. Commissioner Tunbridge submitted returns showing that since January, 1890, three persons had died in the cells from alcoholism. Inspector Hiokson and several constables gave rebutting evidence. Bentley alleged that Sergeants Black and Northcroft were removed from Auckland for instituting proceedings against an hotel. Mr Tunbridge cross-examined to show that Black's removal was promotion. John Bell, a shiprigger, complained of being taken to the l»ck-np while he was suffering from illness. He explained that he was tried as a drunkard and ordered to pay 30s a week to maintain his wife and children.

Mr Jackson Palmer asked the Commissioner to review the case of Sergeant McMahon. He stated that McMahon was really dismissed for refusing to disregard a very proper rule. If the Commission would allow him to prove this rule existed they might report to the Government that it was a very proper rule, in which case he thoughttheGovernmentwould put McMahon back in his place. The Commission agreed to hear evidence on the subject on Saturday. A. J. McCluskey, a former member of the police force, complained that he had been dismissed without proper inquiry. The Commissioner stated that this was a matter outside the scope of the inquiry. Ex-Con-stable Haddock again appeared, and stated ho had serious charges against Inspector Hickson in connection with an inquiry which resulted in his (Haddock) being dismissed from the force. The Chairman said the Commission could not go into the proceedings of a duly authorised tribunal. He stated he had received a communication with regard to Haddock's complaint from Mr Massey, M.H.R. Mr Massey referred a> a certain page in " Hansard " from which it appeared that the Premier had promised to mako provision for an enquiry on Haddock's complaint. The Commissioners docided to send a telegram to the Premier asking if he wished the evidence in Haddock's case to be heard and reported upon. First Class Constable Edward Thomas Howell, late of Christchurch, said he represented the members of the force, and with the other delegates, Constables Thompson and Hutchinson, he submitted recommendations and suggestions passed at a meeting of the force. These, it was contended, would, if carried out, practically do away with the dissatisfaction which at present exists. The recommendations are as follows:—That the classes in all ranks should be abolished; that the minimum pay of constables shou Id be 8s per day, and the maximum 9s, to be obtained by a rise of 6(1 per day for each five yeare , service up to ten years, provided in the meantime the constable had not misconducted himself, in which case the Commissioner should be emfowered to retard him for a time in petting is rise ; that the promotion of constables to rank of sergeant be left entirely to the Commissioner, the main points to be observed in regard to promotion to be efficiency and length of service, constables and sergeants to be cotnpulsorily retired at sixty ; that the present system of compulsory insurance should be abolished, and a pension scheme, as suggested by Commissioner Tunbridge, adopted in its stead ; that the period of annual leavo should be allowed to accumulate to six weeks; that free travelling should be allowed on the railways; that a lodging allowance of 10s a week should be made to married constables ; that a suit of uniform and two pairs ot boots should be allowed to all ranks every year; that constables permanently employed on plain clothes duty should be allowed Is per day extra travelling allowance, and 6s per day while on temporary duty ; that constables on night duty should be allowed time off in lieu of the time spent in attending court when they arrest a prisoner ; and that sergeants and constables jn charge of stations should be granted an allowance for light and fuel.