THE MASON INQUIRY

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 86, 8 October 1920, Page 4

THE MASON INQUIRY

CASE FOR DEFENCE CONCLUDED

DECISION RESERVED.

The inquiry into tho charges laid by* ex-Detective-Sergeajtt Mason against the Police administration was "concluded yesterday afternoon.

Superintendent Norwood, called by counsel for the defence, Mr. C. P Skerrett, K.C., said that his sole connection with the Miies-Millanta case was that of sanctioning the prosecution, beyond, o£ course, that of his supervisory work.

"It has been suggested that on 13th. February you put certain charges to Mr. Mason \vi»h the object of preventing a public inquiry."—'■ Certainly not. I asked that an inquiry should be held immediately after the proceedings in the Magistrate's Court." To Mr. Maeaasey witness said that he had agreed that it would be unwise to allow Mason tt placs tho case before the Grand Jury, in view of bis pronounced opinions. In answer to Mr. M. Myers,' counsel for the complainant, witness said that he had not sought an interview with ■ Mason after the Magistrate's Court proceedings. "Was not the inquiry you wanted one into the charges laid by you against Mason?"—"No, Mason had made very serious allegations against his officers, first in ilia remarks at the Magistrate's Court by stating that he had been compelled to awear information, etc."

Mr. Macassey proposed to make a statement as to hi* position in the matter, but Mr. Myers said that no charge had been levelled against him, and the Bench considered that the statement was unnecessary. Mr. Skerrett said that he did not propose to address the Court, for that would merely entail again going over the facts brought out in evidence. In his opinion nothing had been stated in the evidence derogatory to the character of the third person referred to throughout the proceedings. The Commissioner reserved decision.