THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11044, 23 February 1898, Page 3

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

tf?EK United Press Association.)

Wellington, February 22,

At the Police Commission Colonel Hume, who has been four days and a-half under examination, completed bis evidence this morning. Ho put the disorganisation of the detective force down to jealousy of the chief detectives. The latter office should be abolished. He did not think there was much immorality in the force. Two hundred and Eighty men still got long service pay. Last year 13 rewards, totalling £37, were paid to the police. Since the end of the last financial year to date £93 had beeu paid. Police appointment* were much sought.after. Commissioner Tunbridge said there were bow 500 applications for admission to the force. Mr Tunbridge also put in an amended and additional religion report, which showed that in 1883 there were 269 Protestants and 194 Catholics in the force, in 1890 285 Protestants and 206 Catholics, in 1898 311 Protestants and "222 Catholics.

Captain Coleman. of the Permanent Artillery, «ho had been 23^r year* in the colony's military service, gave evidence on ,drafting and recruiting as they affected the police f orCB from a defence point of view. He said it was good to have military-trained men in the police force, but he did not think their training advantageous for policemen. At the present day the physique of his recruits was not equal to that of 10 years ago, nor was the moral character of the Permanent Artillery so good. The commission wiil not take further evidence until Friday; the time meanwhile beiug spent in examining documents and reports and supervising the evidence.