THE COMMISSION IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

NZ Truth, Issue 217, 21 August 1909, Page 9

THE COMMISSION IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Inspector Wilson's Evidence.

More About District Clerks.

The Police Commission of Enquiry which is being held by Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., concluded investigation m the •South Island last week, and on Friday week commenced operations m the North Island. Wanganui was the first place visited, and the first witness examined there was Sergeant T. Burke. He said he had been m the force since 1877 and had been a sergeant since 1398. He had no complaint to make, but understood tiiab there was a fair amount of dissatisfaction existing m the force regarding promotions, it being alleged that junior and inferior men were promoted over the heads of senior men who had better qualifications for promotions. Witness was "40 years of age when promoted. Cousidsidered 50 years of age a proper maximum for men to be promoted to be sergeants m a city. No man before Piunie's time was offered promotion, but he was simply told where he was to go. Knew# of at least ' » ONE WASTER IN THE FORCE who should never have been taken on. A fifth standard test was too high, as it excluded a great many good men. Men on night duty m Wanganui who had to attend Court next day received no concession. They did not consider it a hardship; Considered " the pay on joining! was the cause of lack of recruits. . Evidence was also given by the following constables :—Jas. Bree (Aramoho), Jas. Riordan (Wanganui East), and Jas. Fitzpatrick (Marton), all of whom advocated an increase of pay. The evidence of Detective Jas. Siddells was colorless. He said he had no grievance, but suggested that there was room for improvement m the force, questioned by Dinnie, Siddells said he considered he took a downward step when he became a detective. Sergeant Haddrell, Mew Plymouth, would express' no opinion one way or the other anent the existence of political influence. There was, he said,considerable discontent over promotion. Evidence was also given by Sergeants F. Culh'n (Stratford) and Till (District Clerk-, Wanganui). The last-named said that putting clerks on relief street duty on Sundays might cause discontent, but witness did not think it would impair tne ediciMcy of the men so acting. INSPECTOR WILSON'S EVIDENCE. Edward Wilson, Inspector m charge -of Wanganui district, had 39 stations m his district, 36 of which were under his direction. Witness enrolled m 1871 and was promoted to sergeant m 1884, became sub-inspector m 1899 and inspector m 1902. He had under Mm a sub-inspector, eight sergeants, 63 constables, 1 district cierk and three detectives. Had not heard of the existence of "handy-men" until after the Commission Commenced its inquiries. Thought that an inspector should be able to tell m ten, years whether a man was suitable, to- become a sergeant. Sergeants put on street duty siiouJd first be medically examined. The pay, of constables .was too low and so was the house allowance. JTetectives should stand on the same ground as sergeants m the question of further promotion. THE TRANSFER OF DETECTIVE QUIRK from Palmerston to Wellington was ordered, but on petitions being received from the member for the district and some leading residents, the transfer was held over and the detective was still at Palmerston, although four months had since elapsed. Thought Constable Bree should have been promoted. Bree had been recommended for promotion before witness's time and had it not been for the departmental rule as to'service and age, witness would hav&"-''' . li'° '■■ RECOMMENDED HIM FOR PKOMO- , TION. Would otherwise" certainly recommend Mm. A man who was not fined, was not put. on the defaulters' sheet, but witness thought a record should be made of every man's offences. Clerks should stand on ' the -same level as other constables and take their turns on duty. It would not impair the cittciency of "the mdn. To Mr Dinnie : The clerks have often to he back at night, as the work on hand must be done. Clerks could do watch-house relief duty or station reserve duty. Believed men were promoted now after 13 years' service. When the provincial governments had to hand over the police force they made NEARLY EVERY MAN A SERGEANT. Clerical training was a necessity if a man was to become au efficient" sub-in-spector of inspector. Personally he con-' aidefed his own clerical training had been invaluable to him m his career. Considered Leahy should have been promoted m 18»0. Charles Wade, constable at Eltham and m charge of the district, was enrolled m 1899, and was first appointed to the charge of a station two and a halt years ago. Witness denied emphatically ■ ever having-, as alleged by Fitzgerald, at Christchurch, written anonymous letters to hia superiors reflecting on any of his comracles. Inspector Wilson, recalled, said Constable Wade's work at both Taihapc and Eltham was' most satisfactory.