THE NELSON POLICE SCANDAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 69, 18 September 1902, Page 4

THE NELSON POLICE SCANDAL.

The position of affairs in regard to the Nelson police scandal does not appear to be at all satisfactory. Nominally, the Petitions Committee of the House is considering tho petitions of ex-Constables BurreH nnd Durbridge for compensation for dismissal from tie police force, and some evidence, including tbat of Commiustoner Tunbridgo and Swb-Inspector Mncdonuoli, has been taken. The petitioners are ,i'epjwws»ted by Mr. Maginnity, solicitor, of NeteaH, iutd on the kst ocoaKion that the c«a«ruttfle met to consider the petitions, Mr. Skerreit appeared to represent " tie police," while Commissioner TunbrUJg« ivppears on his own lwhalf. The cUiof subject for comment, however, is tho jlow pace «t which the enquiry is proceeding, and this is rendered more significant by the statement thut tho Government intends to call something over a drraen mo*© "witnesses. As the committee has so far heifl about owe sitting a week to consider the petitions, and as the evidence has not been altogether in favour of tho Government, the opinion is givining ground that the Ministry is adopting the tactics commonly known in certain circles »s " sparring for wind." With tfce eiwl of the session so near at hand, that would be an easy ganio to play, although it would not prove very satisfactory to the petitioners. We l»ope that the discreditable tactics attributed to the Government in some quarters aro not being employed. It is easy to understand Sir Joseph Ward's desire to save WJs absent chief from any discredit that m«y attach to him if the inner working ol what appears to have been a "shady" business is disclosed, but if. any friends of Mr. Seddon's had been treated us have these Nelson police officers the Premier would huve bawled himself bourse in denunciation of such a. gross violation of "British fair pluy."