THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14579, 19 July 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, Jun« 29. the order of reference for the commission set up m consequence of the recent allegations m Parliament and outside refleeting upon the general administration , and personne of trie Police- Force have been prepared for Mr Bisliip, «,M. the commissioner. ' j He is directed to inquire into the fol- ! lowing matters :— 1. The general organisation, control, and enrolment of the Police Force of the Dominion us it now exists in its several branches and the discipline and efficiency thereof, and in what the said force Of any part thereof could be belter recruited, organised, controlled, „ r made more elticieut. 2 As to the efficiency, conduct, sobriety and morality of ih, Wcm b eM u | the said torce or any of them. . 3. As to whether any political or other improper interference exists in connection wk!i the .--aid fores, and if so, to what extent, and whether such interference has any influence in the administration of the said force. 4. As to,the methods of promotion ol members of the sai'd force and the reasons governing the selection ot members or the force for promotion. The commission is to report on or before August 31, and it is empowered to sit at any place in the Dominion for the purpose of taking evidence on oath or otherwise and examining documents, etc. The order of reference expressly excludes from the inquiry such matters as the recant dismissal of two police constables as a consequence of a magisterial investigation, the terms of the reference declaring:—"Providing that no inquiry shall ha held by you into any matter or thing which has already been'investigated and' determined before any judicial or other lawfully-constituted ' tribunal, or where any member of the Police Force has been dismissed from the service, or whose services have been dispensed with in consequence of his misconduct or for any other reason. If any allegation or statement ie made, before tho commission which relates to or affects the personal conduct of an individual member or members of the uilice Force it shall not enter upon any inquiry in respect- thereof until the person fo affected has had at least 24 hours notico in writing, giving such particulars as shall be deomccl sufficient, full opportunity being afforded to any such person to cross-examine any witness giving evidence against him and to call any evidence in reply which he may think fit." THE GOVERNOR ON TOUR. H.M.S. CHALLENGER AT THE COOK ISLANDS. AUCKLAND, July 5. H.M.S. Challenger, with the Governor aboard, relumed from her cruise among the South Sea islands this morning. She visited K»r6tonga, .Mangaia, Aim, and Aitutaki, steaming altogether about 4000 mite. Pine weather was experienced except during tho last day at Jkrotonga, when rain somewhat marred the festivities. On the return trip tho Challenger averaged 15 knots. She had been in wireless communication with H.M.S. Encounter, hound to Auckland, and with Sydney on Sunday morning. Tho island people everywhere gave his Excellency an enthusiastic, reception. Colonel Gudgeon, 0.M.G., the retiring Resident Commissioner, acted as cicerone in tho Cook Islands. Auckland was left on June 17, and Rarotenga reached on the 24th. The Challenger is the biggest warship that has visited these waters, and excited keen interest aniong the natives. At Rarotoiiga sho was lit with electric light, and a display was made with tho KMirchlights on the water. One could hear the shouts of applause on tho shore. What' most puzzled the natives was that 500 men could rind room to live on one ship. The trip up, which took seven days, wa6 made under easy steam, but Uib return journey was done in the record time of 4 days 15 hours, the average speed being 15 knots. On Saturday a full-speed trial took place to test some modifications in the furnaces introduced by the engineer (Commander Grant), which proved highly satisfactory, and effected a marked saving in'the consumption of fuel. Sunday morning tho ship got into wireless communication with tho Encounter, now on her way to Auckland. The first signals were received at a distance of 1080 miles, and the two boats kept in touch from then onwards. The Challenger also spoke with Sydney, and a message camo through from the Admiral congratulating the ship on her success. From Mangaia the party went to Atui, thence to Aitutaki, and afterwards lo Rarotenga. His Excellency was cordially received and hospitably entertained at each island, and at Rarotenga a ball was given by Queen Makla in honour of the p visit. The party was also entertained by Colonel Gudgeon, and in proposing the health of the host the Governor paid a high tribute to the excellent services of the retiring Commissioner. A great many gifts, principally mats, were presented to the Governor at each of the islands visited.