WHAT BUSYBODIES SAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 11997, 4 September 1909, Page 3

WHAT BUSYBODIES SAY.

MAGISTRATE AA'D POLICE. The respective heads of tho magistracy and police in Auckland catno into conflict on more than one point during the sitting of tho Police Commission last Monday. » Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the course Of his evidence, said he did not think that police inspectors should instruct their bergeante to report to them in regard to the conduct of magistrates. Mr. Bishop, S.M. (the Commissioner): Have you any ground for saying that?— Yes. I understand that the sergeants and constables have been instructed to report on the conduct of the magistrates* e Mr Bishop (in a surprised tone): In regard to the discharge of their judicial duties?— Yes, I havo heard that it has been done; - a Mr. Dinnie (Commissioner of Police): Have you heard that these instructions' emanated from my office?—No, not from your office. Inspector Cullen: You have beeu told this. Do you believe it ? —I thought it was quite possible. Inspector Cullen: Why. Mr Kettle (after a pause): I do not know, Your W'orship. Mr Bishop: It is a serious allegation against the inspector, v Mr Kettle: If it is untrue. Mr Bishop: Personally, I should regard it as a very serious reflection up,on any inspector if I was satisfied that lie had called upon any subordinate officer to report,- or even intimate his opinion, as to my conduct as a magistrate. I can speak no more strongly than that/ 5 ' Inspector Cullcn (to Mr Kettle): What--grounds- have you for making such a statement?—l have been told Did, you believe it?—l thought it was quite likely. Did you think that I had taken leave of my senses?—l can give no explanation of it. Supposing one of the numerous busybodies who are about were to a magistrate was in the habit of writing paragraphs for the newspapers, or that be wrote an article criticising clerks of Courts. There would be just as much ground for that as for saying

that I Had instructed my, men to report .upon magistrate*;, /.You cannot take' every little remark for gospel?— No. i Will you take my assurance that 1 have never done what is suggested P Jf you say that on oath I will bclicvo you. . Inspector Cullen: I am .going to give evidene on oath, and I hone that you arc gentleman enough to take' my assurance that I do intend to deny it on oath. i Mr Bishop:. I should regard-it as very serious 'conduct on the .part of an inspector if such a thing were done. Mr Kettle: I am only saying that

I heard thl>. If jou say that no such thiug occuiredj i am sausheu. laspector Cullen. {supposing that I was told that a certain magistrate went behind my back to a ccitain Minister of the Cronn, and said that 1 wub nut doing uij iit.ty!'—l liave never done so.' '

Inspector Cullen. If the Minister | tolU mc in t'.ic iHeoence ot his private setretaiy and M>inniK*ioner Uinnie, i would you deny it.-*—l do not know anything about it. - I Supposing tho Commissioner taxed you with it"-* —I think 1 said on one ' occasion that'l nould like to .see a I little'more of you in the Courte. luspeotor Cullen. You say you did not do what 1 was told you did. Then there could be as little ground for the statement about me as about you?— That is so. ' "HAVING THINGS OCT.!.' ' 1 JH a later ttoge of his evidence Mr Kettle'said he had understood 1 that Mr Northcroft, S. M., had stated that Inspector Cullen had said it would be better if he (Mr Kettle) did not give evidence before the Commission. Mr Bishop :He w did not say that before mc. " " w ' * > Mr. Kettle said be understood that the inspector had made the remark to Mr Northcroft. ' 1 Mr Bishop (to Inspector Cullen): Did you have any conversation with Mr N6rthcroft? inspector Cullen: -Mr Northcroft and I were discussing the question of who 'wa* likely to give 'evidence 1 . Mr* Kettle's name was mentioned, 'And I said I trusted that he would not 4 be coming up, as it woul dnot hel:> us one way or the other. ' Mr Kettle: You trusted that I would not be coming up* , I am quite satisfied there is nothing like having these thinks out. < Mr. -Bishop: ■I am satisfied that.Mr Northcroft 'did not say that pn oath. - Mr Kettle: Mr Northcroft,told me that the inspector had asked him, hi the train, whether X nas going v to give, evidence, and that be said it would be better for nil concerned 'if I did not. ' Mr Bishop: It was a private conversation between Mr Northcroft and Mr Cullen ?—No, not so far as I or Mr Northcroft 'are concerned. He is a magistrate. 'No inspector has the right to discuss one magistrate with .another magistrate. If what I say is not correct, rocall Mr'Northcroft. f Mr n>sho!v Mi; Cullen has ju&t admitted that it is correct 1 . Mr Kettle: Very ,welh that is all I wrtnt. I* only w»nt the truth.' ' Mr Bi«hoi>: Well, vou h«v> got tho, 'trut'i.—(" Auckland Herald.") , '