MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume XLIV, Issue 45, 12 November 1919, Page 704

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

General Elections, December, 1919.

(1.) POLICE DUTIES AT PUBLIC MEETINGS

Officers in charge of districts and subdistricts are reminded that it is essential to give all possible attention to the preservation of order during the present eleotion campaign, and especially on the day of the election. The principal concern of the police must be to preserve order and, where they fail despite proper efforts, to prosecute the disturbers, especially of meetings in halls where candidates and others address public meetings of electors. Such halls are not “ public places ” within the meaning of the Police Offences Act, 1908, section 28, but offenders may be prosecuted under section 3 (dd) of that Act, and may be arrested without warrant if the constable witnesses the offence and cannot ascertain their name and address.

Further, the hall, if hired or otherwise used by permission of the owner, is completely under the control of the hirer or user, so that he or his agent may remove or exclude any person at will. Persons who are requested to leave by either of them and refuse become trespassers, and on a second request followed by refusal commit an offence against the Police Offences Act, 1908, section 6 (c). The police, if authorized by the proper person, may eject such trespassers. (See Crimes Act, 1908, section 82.) It is very desirable to obtain such written authority before the meeting. The police should exercise a firm and vigorous attitude in this respect from the beginning so that disturbers of meetings may know what to expect. Prominent public men are more liable than others to interruption, abuse, and even attack by organized rowdies, and for that reason the police should give them such special attention as circumstances indicate they may require. Newspapers containing reports of disorderly or disturbed meetings or other disorder in connection with the elections should be forwarded direct to this office by the member of the Force in charge where such meetings are held or disorder occurs.

(2.) ELECTION-DAY.—DUTIES OF POLICE

Officers in charge of districts should ensure that members of the Force detailed for duty at polling-places are thoroughly instructed in their duties for that occasion. The following statutory provisions apply in respect of their oonduct and of the duties and responsibilities directly' imposed, or which may indirectly devolve, upon them:— The Police Force Act, 1913, section 24. The Legislature Act, 1908, sections 115, 123 (1), 125 (2), 126, 128, 131, 154, 155, and 157 to 163 inclusive.

It is to be observed that there is no power to arrest for offences except what is conferred by section 154 (a) respecting offences specified in section 160, and by section 163 (1) and (2) in respect of personation. In all other cases the names and addresses of offenders should be obtained. Whatever evidence is available on the spot should be noted with a view to assisting the Returning Officer. With regard to the hour of closing the poll in particular districts (section 115), the Returning Officer in each district can give the information. Section 39 of the Licensing Act, 1908, should be read in conjunction with section 123, Legislature Act, 1908. It is to be particularly noted that only the sale of liquor between 12 noon and 7 p.m. is prohibited by these sections. - The licensed houses are not required to be closed ; hence section 194, Licensing Act, 1908 (making it unlawful for certain persons to be on licensed premises when closed), does not apply until 6 o’clock, the time for closing fixed by the Sale of Liquor Restriction Act, 1917, section 3. (3.) MAORI REPRESENTATION. — ELECTIONS. These elections will not be held on the same day as the general election. The Legislature Amendment Act, 1910, section 68, provides that the provisions relating to the conduct of elections of European representatives apply to the election of Maoris, subject to any modifications in the Act or the principal Act of 1908. The Legislature Act, 1908, section 186, makes it unlawful to sell or supply to any Maori intoxicating liquor on the day on which any election is held for a Maori electoral district. Attention is drawn to the Legislature Amendment Aot, 1910, section 60 (gg), (hli), and (2), and to sections 65, 66, 67, and 68.

J. O’Donovan, Commissioner of Police.

Wellington, 11th November, 1919.

Resignations

No. 1911. Constable Cunningham, Michael James. 10th October, 1919. No. 2156. Constable Woods, John. 16th October, 1919.

Appointments as Constables

Ist October, 1919. No. 2167. Putt, Cecil Bruce. No. 2168. Miles, Benjamin Charles. No. 2169. Forbes, Charles Grahame. No. 2170. Grainger, William James Bowley No. 2171. Shea, John Donald. No. 2172. Munro, Peter. No. 2173. Scott, John Francis.

Station opened. Waikiwi (Invercargill district). Station closed. Gladstone (Invercargill district.) Clerks of Magistrates' Courts appointed. (See New Zealand Gazette , 1919, page 3385.) Constables William Pender and Ernest Alexander Regan have been appointed Clerks of Magistrates’ Courts at Cheviot and Oxford respectively. '