CONSTABLE DISMISSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15788, 12 June 1913, Page 8

CONSTABLE DISMISSED

' MISTAKES THE TIME. ALLEGED FALSE ENTRY. (Per United Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, June 11. Constable Smyth has received notice of his dismissal from the force. He was recently transferred to Greymouth from Auckland, allegedly because of his efforts on behalf of the Police Association.. The constable explained to a Star, reporter that he was on duty on the wharf watching timber trucks on account of reported thefts of timber, He mistook the time for 5 o'clock, and at 4 a,m. went to the station and signed the book. He was reported" to headquarters, and will ba dismissed on Saturday next for leaving duty and making a false entry in the book.

STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER CULLEN. (Pre Dnited Pees 9 Association.) WELLINGTON, June 11. ' Commissioner Cullen, speaking on the dismissal of Constable Smyth at Greymouth, said that Smyth was deputed to watch the timber trucks on the Grey wharf in 'consequence of reports that serious thefts of, timber were taking place. His watch was to last) till 5 a.m., but at 10 minutes to 4 a.m. the sergeant discovered Smyth in the watchhouse and a false entry in the book that he (Smyth) did not visit the station till 5 a.m. Regarding Smyth's statement that he mistook the time, Commissioner Cullen said there was a clock in the watchhouse where Smyth was which regulated the hours of duty, at the station. At what time Smyth left the wharf his superiors did not know. He abandoned his post, where he was placed for a very important pur--1 pose, and then aggravated his lapse by making a false entry. "Neither the department nor' any private employer would stand that,'' Commissioner Cullen concluded.