THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 16 September 1909, Page 4

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE AT WELLINGTON. I

(United Press Assoc ution.) j WEIXINGTON, Wednes. \ At the Police Commission to-day. Sergeant Mathieson, <■! Wellington South, witfh twenty years' str vice, com- . plained of the 6j'stjir. of promoting; also : that he had been transferred from In- ! vercargill to an Inferior station at Wellington without any rtason being given, i He considered there was some nujtive underlying his transfer. He had asked Mr Dinnie for the motive, and his only reply was that "these transfers were advisable." Witness complained cf J "s treatment by Inspector Ellison, who seemed to think that nothing witness 'did was Tight. Witness complained thft when one of the constables under him had made certain inquiries and furwarded wChat witness considered thon, and now, a complete answer to the Inspector's mind, a junior constable had been sent from Mount Cook to complete • the inquiry. Witness accsplen this _a? a ' direct insult by Inspector Ellison. With regard to the* administration generally, the feeling throughout InvercnrgiK was that Mr Dinnie was simply ;i figurehead and anything to bc done* here had to be done through Mr Wright, who was the dominating influence of Mr Dinnie. He was seven years in Invercargill district. He distinctly reme'.i-bered Mr Dinnie informing him tint he had been recommended for promotion. ■ j Mr Dinnie produced the file showing ■ ihat- w"tness had not boen recommend- ' ed lor promotion by Commissioner Tunbridge iifl9o4. "Could you be expected eio be promoted when you were not recommended?" asked Mr Dinnie. Sergeant Kelly, on behalf of the sergeants of Wellington district, said ,'ne agreed with the majority of the proposals of the Auckland police sergeants. He knew of no person who had attempted to use influence in the matter of promotion. There was no discon- ' tent, among the WeUington .men with tii„ exception of two or three disappointed, vindicative men. i Sergeant Dale said the sergeants were asked to do too mudi at night. There was no time to converse with constables. More- practical work should be done by the men going to the training depot. They came down full of law but did not know the first lesson of po--I'ce duty liow *o -wox-lc a. beat. Inspector Ellison :' Have you received fair and considerate treatment while you have been under me? Witness : The fairest I have ever receivd in the Ncw Zealand police force. You are the etraightest gentleman I have ever dealt with. •