POLICE INSPECTOR CHARGED.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13171, 1 February 1936, Page 4

POLICE INSPECTOR CHARGED.

UNUSUAL DEVELOPMENT.

COUNSEL SEEKS WITHDRAWAL Electric Telegraph—Press Association GISBORNE, January 31. There was an unexpected development in the Police Court to-day when the ease was called in which Inspector of Police, Henry Martin, was proceeded against under a prrvate information charging him obscene exposure on M Beach. , ... Counsel /tor informant, Air L.. r. Buroard, alleged that since the case was first called there had been interference on the part of the Police Department with witnesses lor the prosecution. Ol seven witnesses, four had actually been approached by Inspector Lopdell, who is relieving Martin, whp is on leave. "My client feels,’’ added counsel, "that the case has taken a turn which’ compels her withdrawal. I've never in mv experience known a case " here the other side’s witnesses had been approached either by counsel or the police. Here four vital witnesses had been seen and their full story obtained. They have been shaken ana intimidated.' All this has been done under the deliberate instructions ot the Department, which apparently sent Martin’s friend, Inspector Impdell, here for that very purpose. 1 submit that the case has gone beyond the stage where it can be handled by a private citizen and 1 ask leave’ to withdraw.” Mr J. S. Wauchop, -;or Martin, said that nothing in tin* whole case was more extraordinary that the procedure of information. The allegations, so far as he understood them, were that Martin, alter bathing at 0.30 in the morning, had covered himself with a dressing gown and removed his bathing costume. It was alleged that either by accident or design tlia gown came open and Martin exposed himself. On this evidence, Mr Wauchop submitted that no solicitor in the town would have taken the responsibility of laying an information. “At the time the information was laid,” Mr Manchop added, “two constables were subject to a very serious charge which was adjourned, pending hearing of this case. It is an astonishing fact that all the witnesses, so far as I can learn, were seen by one or other of these two constables.”

Counsel added that inquiries made from officials of the Beach Society disclosed no complaints against Martin’s conduct, the caretaker describing the charge as “only a laughing matter.’’ The Magistrate, Mr E. L. Walton, adjourned the case until Febluary 10th, stating that in the meantime he would communicate with the Justice Department.