Chief Detective Herbert's Evdence.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12823, 16 July 1909, Page 2

Chief Detective Herbert's

Evdence.

(Per United Press Association).

CHBISTCHURCH, July 15. At the Police Commission, to-day, Chief Detective Herbert said he thought the Victorian system might be adapted providing for detectives, constable, detectivesergeant, and so on. Mr McGowan refused to recognise the right of a detective to higher promotion unless he inverted to the lower grade with lower pay. The present Minister departed from thaurule and promoted Chief Detective McGrath to be sub-inspector. A junior man to v McGrath, and himself was annointed subinspector over both their heads, and was now senior to McGrath He now suffered an injustice .by being junior to a man who should be junior to him. Witness referred to the detective scandal here in 1905, in order to draw a comparison of the Commissioner's treatment of those concerned with bringing the case to a conclusion, and those concerned in the Papakaio case after its conclusion. If they were entitled, to be recomplimented he was entitled to receive the same treatment in connection with the police scandal. When Commissioner Dinnie arrived he said the arrest of the third man, who was convicted and punished subsequently, was a blunder and that lie should not have been arrested. The Comniissioner's contention was the reverse of witness' expressed opinion as to how the men should be dealt with. 'Witness and the inspector felt the only safe course for themselves particularly was to lay the cases in fullest seriousness before the public. On the other hand, the Commissioner's intention — perhaps the Commissioner did not understand the gravtty of the position — was to minimise the cases as much as possible for general credit. In the Papakaio case the detective in charge of it was called on to give a history or summary of the case, and the Commissioner noted the work of two detectives in flattering terms. After the mans, was acquitted on a murder charge Detective Hunt, had to make inquiries here about a revolver which the man was supposed to have purchased. The Commissioner was not satisfied that the inquiries were properly made because "he promised he would deal with us for neglect in the way we conducted business down here," but he had not dealt with them. The fact that the Papakaio case was not entrusted to Dnnedin detectives showed that, in the Commissioner's opinion, Dunedin was under a ban. Witness criticised the action of the Commissioner in regard to the transfer of detectives, and contended that frequent changes impaired efficiency and cost an enormous amount of - money. Witness described the finger print department as one of the Commissioner's hobbies, and said the success of that department was more important to the Commission than was the deteqtive department — as far as Dunedin was concerned, at any rate.' Witness went on to say that a successful Commissioner must have control over his men,' must have their re.spect, and must be incapable of dealing unfairly with any man, however little that man may deserve sympathy, and he knew of no man in New Zealand who possessed those qualifications in a higher degree than Mr W. Bishop. Mr Bishop: Do you know the emolument of my office and the emoluments of the Commisioner's office? Would it be promotion for me?

Witness: I think the country will discover before the Commission is over that it would be worth while to give no consideration to -emoluments and that the running of the police force by some one who understood it as you do would be a great saving?" He trusted Mr Bishop would see his way to review past promotions to the extent of placing men who, without sufficient ground, had been promoted over seniors in the proper positions. When the' promotion l of men passed over came along they should be promoted over the heads of men who should never have passed over them. Several sergeants gave evidence, the main contention being that an increase in the pay would induce a good class of men to join; "