THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Press, Volume IV, Issue 10064, 16 June 1898, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

(TRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, June 15. "* Before the Police Commission Mr J. N. Ellis, J.P., runholder, of Oterohanga, said that sly grog selling was prevalent in the King Country. Withiu tbe last four years it had been more of a scandal than before. He had witnessed illegal sales of liquor, but there were difficulties in connection with police agents witnessing a sale. He did not think much of Cullen's attempt. Cullen ■caught people who kept houses on whom everyone depended for accommodation, but the sly grog sellers were not touched. He would not disclose the names of those he had seen breaking the law. Patk. McDonnell, J.P., storekeeper at Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, had a personal observation of sly grog selling, and he held that a smart constable, with plenty of money at his command, could do much good. Arthur Myers, brewer, said that a conference of hotelkeepers was held and the remit was satisfactory. He fearlessly stated that, with the exception of one or two hotels, it wis impossible to obtain drink on Sunday in Auckland. He was surprised at the statement in regard to private bells. It was the first time that he had heard of such a thing. Inspector Hickson said he wished to correct what he had stated in his evidence in chief on the Bth June in reference to brothels. He handed in a statement showing a list of prosecutions and convictions against brothels. Since he came to the city there had been 75 prosecutions, 42 convictions and 33 dismisals or withdrawals of cases. There were still a good many of such houses in the city. The inspector said there were difficulties in enforcing the law against these places. The police had no power to enter, and the keepers locked their doors against the police, and when an entrance was effected, there was no law to compel visitors to give their names and addresses. The case of ex-Constable Haddock, formerly stationed at Warkworth, and who was dismissed from the force, was heard. The particulars have already been published, and were before Parliament.