THE REGENT STREET SCANDAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7964, 7 September 1887, Page 3

THE REGENT STREET SCANDAL.

INQUIRY INTO MISS OASS'S CASE. Tee official and special inquiry ordered by the Home Secretary into the circumstances attending the arrest of Miss Cuss by Policeconstable Endacott, in Regent-street, was opened by Sir 0. Warren and Mr. H. Smith, Recorder of Lincoln, on July 11. Inspector Wylie, who wqb in the Court when the case was heard by Mr. Newton, said the magistrate found no fault with the constable. Sergeant Combet, who took the charge against Miss Cass, said it was framed entirely on the evidence of the constable who made the arrest, and Miss Cass made no reply to the charge. No enquiries were made as to the gentlemen alleged to have been stopped by her. Counsel for Constable Endacott reserved any questions he might put to the witnesses, and the inquiry was adjourned. The inquiry continued on July 12. The Commissioner said it was .desirable to show what instructions the constables had with regard to arrests in general. Mr. Staples, the chief clerk, read an order of August last in which it was laid down that a constable had the inherent right of apprehending any person who had committed any offence without a warrant, when it was probable that the offender might escape in the event of not being arrested. The police order with regard to bail enjoined that in the case of a person whose address was known, and who was charged with only a small offence, the person arrested should not be placed in the cells except in certain casea. Miss Cass waß examined, and her evidence was the same as already given.

Mrs. Bowman was then called, and said ehe was a dressmaker, of 19 Southampton Row, and had been in business there for seven yeare. Miss Cass had replied to an advertisement. She asked for references, and afterwards made inquiries, which were in every way satisfactory. Miss Cass, after she was engaged, slept in the house, was most diligent in her work, and was the quietest young woman the witness had ever had in her employment. On the night of June 28 Miss Cass said she wished to go out for the purpose of making a email purchase. That was at about a quarter to nine. When Endacott came to the house at half -past ten he said, " Misß Cass is your lodger ?" She replied that she did not take lodgers. Endacott said she was charged with soliciting gentlemen in Regent-street, and that she had seen her there for the same purpose for many weeks. She replied, " That is impossible, because she has not gone out." Endacott then said, " Well, if you want her you had better come and fetch her." The witness then went to the Btation and saw Miss Cass, and became ball for her. At the police court the next morning she listened to the evidence of the police constable, and ejaca'ated, "Oh, dear me 1" because she knew what the constable waß saying was not true. Mr. Newton told her to come forward, and the witness did so. She then told him that Miss Cass waß a respectable girl, and after some further conversation he told her to stand down. She was not sworn. Mr. Wostner also postponed his , cross-examination of this witness. Sergeant Morgan, a plain-clothes officer, stated that when she was brought in Miss Cass waa placed in the dock and sank down on the mat. She was picked up by two officers, was given a seat, and the witness asked that-some water should be brought to her. Miss Cass -recovered and was placed in the dock. He heard her ask that someone should *be Bent for. Endacott, in preferring the charge, said, " I saw her take hold of two or three gentlemen and solicit." Sergeant Comber said to Endacott, "Do you know her?" and Endacott replied, "Yes, I have known her walking Regent-street for some time." Sergeant Comber then said to Miss Cass, " You have heard what the constable has said ? " Miss Cass made ao reply. Mr. Grain intimated that ho should call Endacott.

George Bareham stated that Sergeant Comber asked Miss Case what her ocoupation was, and she made no reply. He heard her say, " The policeman made a mistake " when she was in the cell passage. He heard Endacott say he had' seen her two or three times during the past three weeks.

Miss CaBB was then recalled, and categorically denied, in reply to Mr. Grain, all the allegations which had been made against her by Endacott. Mr. Wontner said that he wished for an adjournment for about ten days, in order that he might make full inquiries in the matter. If this were done, be might be in a position to take a course which would save further trouble. Mr. Grain concurred in the course being adopted, and the inquiry waß adjourned until Thursday, July 21.