THE ALBION TROUBLE.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1026, 27 August 1898, Page 2

THE ALBION TROUBLE.

Punishment of tne Constables

Police CosnnssioNEß Tunbbidge dealt out eharp punishment to the constables who figured in such an undesirable light in the affray at the Albion. Three of them were summarily dismissed, and the fourth, Constable Skinner, was allowed to send in his resignation. This is a lesson in discipline and morality which will not be without its influence on the force. The punishment may seem crnel in contrast with the weak discipline of a couple of years ago, but nevertheless it is quite consistent with the sentiments expressed so forcibly by Mr Tunbridge before he lett Auckland some weeks since, and which emphasized so strongly the necessity for good behaviour on the part of the men.

There is a feeling in some quarters that the constables have been harshly dealt with, but, so far as we can see, there was no other coarse open to the Commissioner than the one he adopted. So far as Constable Skinner is concerned, we take it that Mr Tunbridge will carefnlly investigate the circumstances of the case before he accepts the resignation, lest an injustice be done. Beyond doubt, there is a good deal to Bay in defence of this officer. He was called upon by his comrades to arrest a man who — hia comrades said— was drunk. The situation waß an awkward one for Skinner. Naturally, he would unsuspectingly take the word of his comrades and proceed to arrest under the conviction that the man

was drunk. Evidently, he thought Harris was. His comrades had time to judge whether or not the. man was drunk. Skinner had no opportunity to judge, and may have bel ieved all he swore.

So far as the obscene language was concerned, it is worthy of remark that while the four constables swore the language was used, the witnesses for the defence did not say it was not. They only swore they did not hear it. Therefore, on this point, all the constables, and Skinner amongst them, may have told the truth. The chief fault of the constables in plain clothes was the unpardonable one of being in a hotel drinking and allowing themselves to be drawn into a row. This was, no doubt, the cause of their dismissal, and a very proper cause, too. Skinner was not in the hotel. He took no part in the row. And, in making his arrest.he did so in all innocence, and could hardly have done otherwise when called upon by three police eonBtables.

The whole affair is to be deplored for many reasons, chief amongst which is the feeling of hostility it is calculated to create against the force in the minds of civilians. This is to be regretted. The police have very difficult and sometimes dangerous duties to perform, their patience is often very sorely tried by obstreperous individuals deserving of no sympathy, and a thousand sound reasons exist why they should have the moral and physical support of the respectable portion of every community with them. Unfortunate occurrences like the one at the Albion, however, often exercise the contrary effect and alienate public sympathy from the police, with the result that the larrikin, the spieler, and such other objectionable characters become objects of a pity and compassion they are wholly unworthy of.

Talking of police matters, there is a Becond case in progress now involving serious charges against several officers. Bat there are charges against the police and, charges against the police, and the evidence taken so far shows there is no parallel between this case and the Albion one. However, the case being sub juclicc, we shallnot attempt to comment npon it until it has concluded. At the same time, it is worthy of remark that two of the officers on whose evidence the case rests are old policemen of exemplary character and tested veracity.