SITTINGS AT TIMARU.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 20, 23 July 1909, Page 3

SITTINGS AT TIMARU.

[BY TELEGBAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION. I TIMARU, 22nd July. The Police Commission sat here today. Commissioner Dinnie, Inspector Gillies, and Sub-Inspector Green wero in attendance. ■Dr. TVevan made a charce against Sergeant Mulaney, of Christchurch, one time constable at Geraldine, in connection witli a coiii6ion case in which one Bull drove, on a dark night five years ago, into a trap driven by Dr. Teevan. The doctor asserted that iMulaney shirked his duty. He prosecuted when forced to do so, and ihen the case, failed owing to clear evidence being unobtainable so late. Correscondence passed between himself and Commissioner Dinnie, wherein, the latter expressed regret at the constable's neglect, and advised that Mulaney had been censured. Yet three months later he was promoted to be sergeant. Witness was of opinion that Commissioner Dinnie and their then M.P. (I\lr. Flatman) connived to shield Mulaney and obtain his promotion. Mr. Bishop reminded witness that the case had been dismissed. Witnest asserted dramatically that such was the fact, though had the Union Jack been flying on tne courthouse that day it would have dropped to half-mast. Charges were brought by Ellis Mills against Sub-Inspector Green of refusing to permit a prosecution against boys for destroying a haystack, on the ground that two of them were sons of prominent post offico officials. This was denied by Sub-inspector Green, who explained that Mills wanted to obtain damages, and did not want to prosecute the boys. Therefore the ■Police Court could not assist him. A further charge by '.vlills against Sub-Inspector Green for failing to prosecute boys stealing his exhibits from a show was denied, Sub-Inspector Green explaining that the only evidence was that of (Mills and two boys, which was not sufficient to conduct a successful prosecution. Moreover, iMills had no right to leave exhibits of vegetables, etc., at the show after closing. ■Evidence was given by 'Sub-Inspector Green, who complained that, .though he was senior to Sub-Inspector 'Dwyer, the latter had been promoted- over his head to the position i>F inspector. So far as he was aware, he had a clean record, and Inspector Gillies had recommended him for promotion. He suggested that a lot of irritation could be avoided in the force if a board were established through which the men could appeal to the Minister when dissatisfied with treatment, at the hand of tho Commissioner. Sergeant Warring, in evidence, said that political influence was more rampant now than before. He did not think that chief detectives should be allowed to compete against uniform men for promotion, but should only be promoted, in their own ranks. The standard of education should be kept as high as possible, as an educated force was better than an ignorant one. The physique of the men now offering was not equal to that of candidates thirty years ago. Gaoler Weathered advocated higher pay for constables, a fairer system of promotion to the rank of sergeant, and that the house allowance to constables be the same as for detectives and sergeants. He ridiculed the suggestion of constables in Dunedin, who thought that constables and eergeante* should travel first-class, and characterised this as a ■piece of impudence, adding that he felt ashamed of it. He also complained that he had been passed over in the matter of promotion. Constable 'Gillespie (Temuka) voiced a strong complaint concerning the way m which he had been passed over, and promotion given his juniors, though he had a creditable record extending over 20 years. He also detailed a complaint that political influence had been brought to bear by an ex-M.L.C. to get him shifted, though it had failed. He put in papers in connection »vith a case of alleged perjury against a, constable formerly of South Canterbury, but now of North Canterbury, and contended that there should have been a prosecution in this case. ■Mr. Bishop t,aid that he would deal with this matter in Christchurch. i The commission went on to Christchurch to-night.