THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2646, 8 March 1898, Page 3

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 7. ! Mr Taylor asked the Commission if they will hear charges of deliberate' mendacity against members of the force. The chairman said that they would consider the matter. Inspector Pender said it was the exception rather than the rule for Permanent Artillerymen to make good constables. He had received a report from Detective Campbell two months ago stating that there was not a " tote " shop m Wellington. Witness did not know of one himself. The law required amendment to enable the police to deal with them. The licensing laws were exceedingly difficult to administer, but Sunday trading here had received severe checks of late and was not now very prevalpnt. The officers were more active and frequently visited the houses. Perjury was frequently committed by witnesses for the defence m liquor cases. He chose men to act as plain clothes constable. He had never been subjected to political or ministerial influence. He was quite certain that there was no disorganisation m his force. In answer to Mr Tunbridge he said that the police would not interfere with betting men on the streets unless they caused an obstruction. In dealing with tote shops the principal difficulty was to get documentary evidence. He never expected to be able to put down private gambling. It seemed to be getting worse. Plain clothes men got no extra pay ; m fact they were sometimes out of pocket. They were merely on'probation for the detective force. In answer to the Commissioners witness thought that it would be better for the community, especially young people, if betting was made illegal. Sergeant Wright, district clerk at Wellington, brought before the Commission a grievance that when appointed he was not allowed to draw a shilling a day for clerical allowance enjoyed by other clerks m the large centres. He spoke m favour of the pension scheme proposed by Mr W. Hutchison m 1893. To his knowledge it was generally approved by the force m Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland. The scheme was practically self-support-ing after the first grant. The force would sooner have pensions than long service pay. The Commission was occupied m the afternoon m hearing a complaint of Constable Foley that he was overlooked m promotion.