ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DETECTIVES IN PETITION BEFORE PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 26137, 26 June 1947, Page 12

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DETECTIVES IN PETITION BEFORE PARLIAMENT

(Special.} WELLINGTON, June 25. An allegation that his 14-year-old son had been treated with physical violence by the police was made by Mr S. G. Adams, of 21 Benedicts street, Auckland, in a petition presented on his behalf in the House of 'Representatives yesterday hy Mr W. T. Anderton (L., Auckland Central). The petition stated that Thomas Trevor Adams, aged 14£, had been apprehended by Detectives Mahood and Wade on or about April 14, 1943, and accused of theft. The police officers had insisted that he should accompany them to the Auckland Police Station, despite his request that he should first be taken to his parents’ home. The petition alleged that the boy was interrogated by Detective Mahood, who, “ during tne period of questioning, did punish him and use physical violence of such a nature that it has been detrimental to his physical well-being.” The petitioner sought a full inquiry into the conduct of Detectives Mahood and Wade, and, if it were considered that their conduct was reprehensible, that steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence, and also that if it could be shown that the boy’s state of invalidity was partly or wholly due to the treatment meted out to him by Detective Mahood, lie should receive compensation. Claiming that the Crown Valuer had made an error costing the petitioner £165 in a housing transaction, Mr G. H. Rattray Fraser, a chiropractor, of 18 Simla Crescent, Khandallah, has petitioned the House for relief. The petition was presented yesterday by the Minister of Marine. Mr J. O’Brien, and gave details of transactions concerning a house in Marsden road, Greymouth. The error which the petitioner alleged had been made bv the Crown Valuer was said to be a miscalculation in the area amounting to 157 square feet.