THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 125, 28 May 1898, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

COLLISION BETWEEN COLONEL HUME AND Mil. TAYLOR. [by telegkbaph — pkess association.] Napieb, This Day. Before the Police Commission, further evidence was taken as to the charges against Inspector Emerson. George llpslop, J.P., of Woodville, deposed to seeing Emerson drinking on a steamer whilst the vessel was at the Wairoa wharf. . James Taylor, J.P., of Woodville, detailed an episode at the races, when Emerson threatened to have him locked up. F. Logan, solicitor, gave evidence that the Inspector was not sober on the occasion of a trip to Gisborne about the time of his transfer to the Hawkes Bay district. Horace Baker, surveyor, a fellow-passenger of Logan'c, said Inspector Emerson's conduct was objectionable, but witness would not like to say he was drunk. Sergt. Black and Coustahle Smith, both of Gisborne, gave evidence, which was to the effect that although they had peen signs of liquor on the Inspector they had never seen him intoxicated. Mr. Taylor examined Sergt. Black as to the general efficiency o£ the Force. The questions put to the Sergeant were relative to the supervision of licensed houses in Welliugton in 1893, when he was stationed there, and especially with regard to an alleged case of Sunday trading. He stated that in company with ex^Constable Kenny he went to the Commercial Hotel. He did not remember saying to Kenny that they had better not go in. Mr. Taylor asked whom he had seen in the hotel. Lieut.-Colonel Hume, ex-Commissioner, objected to the question. He had had enough of Mr. Taylor's mudsliuging already, and if any reflection was to be cast upon him he required 24 hours' notice. He was the person at whom Mr. Taylor was driving. Mr. Taylor said that if that were so Colonel Hume did not require any notice. Colonel Hume said he did not require an hour's notice, hut if Mr. Taylor wanted the information lie should have asked him (the Colonel) when lie was in the box, and not the Sergeant. The Chairman said Colonel Hume would have an opportunity of replying to any reflection made upon him. * The Sergeant, in answer to the Chairman, said that when he went to tha hotel he saw Colonel Hume standing in the passage talking to a lady. * In answer to Colonel Hume witness said that when he saw the Colonel he said " I beg your pardon, sir," and' the latter replied " All right, Sergeant, go on with your duty." The witness expressed the opinion, in reply to Mr. Taylor, that political influence was used in the Force. Colonel Hume asked if it was not a fact that when constables had grievances or an imaginary grievance they had only to write to Mr. Taylor, and the sergeant replied that there was such the feeling among certain members of the Force. Commissioner Tuubridge was on Thursday understood to say he would pit his opinion of the Force against that of a member of the Legislature. What he did say was would " not " pit his opinion against that of a legislator, who was irresponsible