CHARGE AGAINST A DETECTIVE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 25

CHARGE AGAINST A DETECTIVE.

The charge of drunkenness while on duty and using abusive language to Robert Walker, preferred agunst Detective Ede, was further investigated in the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Mr Skerrett appeared for the defendant. John Barr, dealer, stated that on the 12th April he saw two men outside Walker's shop. One of them, who took possession of two saws, did not seem quite sober. Mr Walker subsequently told him that the man was Deteotive Ede. By Mr Skerrett: He should not like to say either of the men was 'screwed.' This closed the case for tho prosecution. The Resident Magistrate then informed Mr Skerrett that he need not trouble himself to go into the charge of using abusive language. Mr Skerrett, for the defence, contended that no case had been made which would justify the Bench in holding that Detective Ede was guilty of the charges which had been lsid against him, and he also imputed malice to Mr Walker in making the complaint against the defendant. He called Detective Ede, who stated that he had been in the police force for 20 years. He denied making use of any insulting language to Walker. The only thing he did say wa3 to Douglas, that the place waa rather a warm ooruer.

He was perfeotly sober, having only had a shandygaff or two during the day. He did not go into a hotel after leaving Walker's shop. Constable Foster deposed that he was in charge of the watohhouse when Walker came in and complained of Ede being drunk and using abusive language. Witness referred him to the SergeantMajor. Detective Ede came in about 15 minutes afterwards ; he was then perfeotly sober, and had not the slightest appearance of drink. Constable Brophy stated that he met Ele in the street about 7 p.m. on the 12th. and thit he was then perfectly sober. Constable Bishop gave similar evidenoe. Detective Herbert stated that Walker had complained to him of Ede, and threatened to use his influence with the Defence Minister to get him out of his billet. The Resident Magistrate said he was very glad to be able to say that there was no doubt whatever about the Benoh's decision, that there was not, with one ex« oeption, a tittle of evidence whioh would justify any Court whatever in oonvicting Detective Ede of the charge whioh had been laid against him. The evidence of the chief witness, Walker, and of the boy was most unsatisfactory, as in ho two particulars did they agree. The case was dismissed.