THE DUNEDIN POLICE SCANDALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13712, 1 April 1905, Page 6

THE DUNEDIN POLICE SCANDALS.

CHARGES AGAINST CONSTABLES. [Per Press Association - .] DUNEDIN, March 31. The proceedings in connection with the charge against Constable Oliver Harry Osborne were somewhat unusual. He was charged with stealing envelopes and notepaper. to the value of 3s 6d. Mr Fraser, Crown Prosecutor, said that it was intended to treat the offence as indictable. Mr Solomon, for the defence, asked how was that. Mr Fraser replied that theft from a dwelling, a shop— The Magistrate said that the charge did not say that. His Worship then read the information just sworn by Detective Herbert, and the Crown Prosecutor said he proposed charging the prisoner with breaking and entering. Mr Solomon said that he could not go on with that. He came to the Court to defend a case of larceny, not burglary. After further discussion, Mr Fraser said that ho would not offer any evidence on the first charge. Mr Solomon said that in that case the charge must bo dismissed. After a pause, the Magistrate dismissed the case. Mr Solomon turned to the accused, and said, “You can go.” Mr Fraser said that he could not go. Mr Solomon again told the accused to go, but ag the accused was doing so he was met by Detective Herbert. Air Solomon said that Osborne could not be arrested in the building. That would be contempt of Court. Ho again told Osborne to go, and tb© latter went out, followed by the detective, who returned in a few minutes with Osborne in custody. _ • The Magistrate said that there was no ease before the Court. - After a pause, a third information was put in, charging Osborne with breaking and entering the shop of Air Al. Kilroy, and stealing.handkerchiefs. Air Solomon said he was not prepared to go on, and asked for a remand, which was granted for a week. Air Fraser said that if the Court waited a quarter of an hour, any other information it was proposed to lay would be put in. After a long pause, during which the Crown Prosecutor, Commissioner Dinnie, and a detective consulted, the Magistrate asked if there was to be any further case. Air Fraser replied in the negative. Further charger, would he laid, and notice would be given to Mr Solomon. The Court then adjourned. Constable Moses, who had been committed for trial on Thursday, was admitted to bail early this evening, hut was at once ' rearrested by Detective Herbert, on a charge of having, in January, entered the . promises of the D.1.C., and stolen therefrom a. piece of cloth, two rugs, etc., of the total value of £9. He will be, brought up at the Court to-morrow.