THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 36

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Napieb, May 25. - The Police Commission was» chiefly occupied to-day with taking the evidence of Inspector Emerson. He spoke well of the force in his district and ths administration of the licensing laws. He believed there were two •' tote " shops in Napier, but he had been unable to get evidence sufficient for -a prosecution. He approved of the suggestions for pensions, deductions to be made from pay towards the fund. He thought.' one uniform a year should be supplied free. Mr Taylor had formulated charges of drunkenness and gambling, but these were adjourned to enable him to furnish fuller particulars. A case of alleged abortion in Tauranga was mentioned. It was shown that tbe medicine was submitted for analysis, which showed that it was not of a nature to procure a miscarriage, so there was no prosecution. The Inspector stated there were no brothels here now. The last one was kept by a woman against whom an information was laid, but it was withdrawn on her promising to leave the town next morning. It was a very quietly-conducted house, and he thought that, course was the best. He denied the statement of Mr Taylor that it was withdrawn because a constable induced two men to go there and they threatened an exposure if they were called as witnesses.

May 26.

Before the Police Commission this morning Inspector Emerson gave evidence respecting the case of a man (Gower) who had escaped from justice. Everything possible had been done to effect Gower's arrest, but the steps had failed.

Commissioner Tunbridge, examined by Colonel Hume at length, stated that he was of opinion that all candidates for admission to the force should go to Wellington for examination. He approved of plain- clothes constables being appointed, and afterwards, if efficient, absorbed into the detective force. He recommended the licensing laws being amended ia the direction of Colonel Hume's recommendation. He realised considerable difficulty in carrying cut any alteration in . regard to bona fide travellers. In many of the Londou houses more business was done on Sunday through bona fide travellers than on any other day. He would nob recommend the adoption in the colony of the Euglish system of opening hotels twice on Sundays. In regard to a pension fund, Mr Tunbridge thought it would have a tendency to keep msn honest. He saw no objection to policemen acting^as court orderlies. It gave them^an ins'ght into the work of the court. From investigations made since he came to the colony he could pit his opinion against that of the Legislature, which had stated tbat the whole police force wag hone? combed with abuses and corruption. He made this statement knowing he was responsible for the force. He considered the force compared very favourably with others. He did not consider drunkenness prevalent in the force. The general conduct of the fores was no worse than tb.Btjs>J any other upctipn of tfca com-

munity, which, however, was not saying very much, as the force ought to be better, since it was their duty to strictly observe as well as maintain the law. He found nothing in the records to substantiate Inspector Brohatn's statement that .it is no use trying to do anything with the men who had politic*! influence. Mr Tunbridge stated that he had made no recommendation regarding Native constables, because there were so few in the service, and while they undoubtedly filled a want aud were nec3|sary for purposes of economy theic caße requiredno special recommendations. Regarding pensions, he did not think warders of gaols should be placed on the same footing, becaase they were not so subject to temptation as policemen, nor was their work so arduous. He had not found disorganisation in the police force, but it was capable of a little better organisation.

In' the afternoon the evidence of several Gisborne witnesses was taken in reference to Mr Taylor's charge of drunkenness against the inspector, the commission decided that no evklai.ee could ba taken regarding any matter dealt with in Mr Kenny's inquiry. In Me Taylor's examination it was endeavoured to show that Emerson was drunk at the Gisborno Park races in July last, but all the witnesses examined swore to the contrary.

May 27.

The hearing of tbe evidence on tho charge* against Inspector Emerson was resumed before the Police Commission this morning. Several witnesses deposed to having been in the inspector's company at different timet, bub denied having seen him the wor? c foi liquor or having seen him gambling. George Hislop, J.P., Woodville, deposed to seeing him drinking on a steamer whilst the vessel was at the Wairoa wharf ; James Taj lor, J.P., Woodnlle, detailed an episode at the races when Inspector Emerson threatened to have him locked up ; F. Logan, solicitor, gave evidence that the inspector was not sober on the occasion of a trip to Gisborne about the lime of bis transfer to the Hawke'a Bay district ; Horace Baker, surveyor, »>nd a feliW-passsnger of Logan's, said that Emerson's conduct was objectionable, but witusss would Dot like to say lie was drunk.

Inspector Tunbridge was yesterday anderstood to say that he would pit his opinion of the force against; that of a msmber of the Legislature. What he did say was that he would "not" pit; his opinion against that of the legislator, who was an irresponsible person. This afternoon further evidence was heard relating to the personal charges against Emerson — Sergeant Black and ConstaWe Smith, both of Gisborne, being examined. Their evidsnee waa to the effect that although they had aeeo signs of liquor on the inspector they had never seen him intoxicated.

Mr Taylor examined Black as to the general efficiency of the force. The queflliona pub to the sergeant were relative to the supervision of licensed houses in Wellington in 1893, when he was stationed there, especially with regard to an alleged case of Sundsy trading Black st&ted that iv company with ex-Consfcable Kenney he weufc to the Commercial Hotel. He did not remember saying to. him that they had better not go in. '

Mr Taylor asked who he had teen in the hotel.

Colorel Hume objected to the qaeation. He had had enough of Mr Taylor's mud-slinging already, and if any reflection was to be cast upon him he required 24- hours' notice. He was the person at whom Mr Taylor was driving. Mr Taylor said if that were so Colonel Hume did not require any notica.

Colonel Hume said be did not require an hour'g notice, but if Mr Taylor wanted bhe infntmation he should have asked him (the Colonel) when he was iv the .box, and not the

sergeant. The Chairman said Colonel Hume would have an oppoituoity of replying to any reflection made upon him.

Subsf quently the Sergeant, in answer to the chairman, said when he went to the hotel he saw Colonel Hume standing in the passage t'&lk'ng with a lady.

In answer to Colonel Hume, Sergeant Black said that when he saw the colonel he said, "Beg your pardon, sir." The latter replied, "All right, sergeant, go on with your duty." Witness expressed the opinion, in reply to Mr Taylor, that political influence was used in the force.

Colonel Hume asked if it was not a fact that when constables had grievances, or an imaginary grievance, they tad only to write to Mir Taylor, and the Sergeant replied that there was such a feeling among certain of the force

At this morning's sitting of the Police Comnusdon the hearing of the charges against la* spec tor Emerson was resumed. A. J. Cotterill, Crown prosecutor, depoied to seeing Inspector Emerson .about 15 months ago in Shakespeare road with two persons supporting him. Witness could not say whether he was drunk or sober. He had never seen him drunk, and could not say he was of intemperate habits.

Q. H. Swan, mayor, who was one of the persons with Inspector Emerson on the occasion referred to by Mr Cotterill, deposed that the inspector was not intoxicated, though he might hava had a glass or two. Witness had never seen him the worse for liquor, or known him to be guilty of conduct unbecoming an inspector of police. Constable Harvey deposed to seeing signs of drink on the inspector once at Wairoa, but Eraeison was not intoxicated or unable to perform his duties. James Ready refused to answer question! about "tote" shops. Mr Wardell (the chairman) pointed out that in the terms of the commission if a witneis refused to answer any questions he was liable to a penalty not exceeding £20. Mr Wardell then asked witness, " Are you aware that tote betting is carried on in the premises of Eagleton and Smythe ? " Witness : I refuse to answer. The Chairman intimated that the witness would not be required again till called upon. On the commi&ion resuming the witness Ready was called to prove the existence of tote shops here. He persisted in refusing to give evidence, and was fined £10.

Other evidence was called with a similac object), but failed.

A number of witnesses, including the police, were called by Mr Taylor Three had seen Inspector Emereon playing cards, bat not foe money. None of them had ever seen him drunk. - ' v-^~v -^~-

Every gueab tt a Norwegian wedding brings tha bride a present. Iv many parts a keg of butter is noi; an unusual gift, *cd if,thennir« riage takes place in wintor, salted or tVozea meat is offered.

The settlers along tha banks of theTokomairiro River are taking steps Jo deal with tha matter of - the pollution of the river by the dredging operations at Glenore and Manuk^ Creak. It is alleged that in consequence o£ these operations the water is rendered quite unfit;, if not dangerous, for stock, while thg channel is rapidly being filled up with.de&m, sty that serious damage from flaodiß« is feared in case of a liiah riV6i*