THE REV. W. RADCLIFEE'S CASE.

Evening Star, Issue 7337, 8 October 1887, Page 2

THE REV. W. RADCLIFEE'S CASE.

[Special to the Star.]

CHRISTCHURCH, October 7. As will have been seen both by the report of the judgment delivered in Adelaide in connection with the oase of the Rev. W. Radoliffe and a telegram relative to an action, there seems to exist an idea in Adelaide that the New Zealand police sent false and misleading telegrams as to the warrant of arrest. Mr Inspector Pender, however, puts the case in a different light, and shows that a mistake has been made by the South Australian authorities themselves. On the 3rd September a warrant was issued for .contravention of the Bankruptcy Act against the Rev. W. Radcliffe. Mr Inspector Pender telegraphed to the Commissioner of Police at Wellington a full description of the accused and of the' offence, stating that a warrant had been issued. Now for the explanation. The telegram communioating with the Australian authorities was sent from thp Commissioner of Police at Wellington, ' under'date of September -$, and mentioned tbat a warrant for the arrest of accused had been igsued. Subsequently it was decided to send Constable Sturmer to Adelaide to bring the accused back to New Zealand. The Crown Prosecutor, thinking it necessary to give a fuller description of the offence than was given in the original warrant (issued on September 3rd) and another warrant (dated September 6th) issued ; and, furnished with this and depositions, Constable Sturmer was despatohed to Adelaide. On arrival, of course there was the discrepancy of the ( dates of the warrants. According to the I telegram, on which the South Australian .police acted, the warrant had been issued on the 3rd September (the date of the telegram) ; but on arrival of the New Zealand constable, the warrant and depositions he had with him bore date the 6th of September, or tjhree days after the date of the telegram which stated that a warrant had been issued, This is an explanation of the matter which has led to somewhat harsh terms being applied to the Npw-Zealand police, such as "misleading and false telegrams," etc