THE POLICE FORCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 597, 27 August 1909, Page 7

THE POLICE FORCE.

alleged political influence. : -'NOT UNCLES ANI) AUNTS ENOUGH." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) i . Auckland, August 20. '•At .the Police Commission to-day Sergeant George Wohlman advocated an increase in the rate of pay to Bs. per day for constables joining the force, with increments of 6d. per day until.the maximum \riis reached. Ho suggested ..that it would be preferable to recruit from amongst married men, if. it was possible, and. to induce them to join, the house allowance should bo. increased.' Mr.:Bishop-.: I think it would be-a good jthing if . we could get married men, but I 'doubt if yoii could 1 get them; Married men are generally of -an age when they do hot caro about making a start at anything new. Sergeant Rogers, of Onehunga, ' said he personally hid no fault to find with! the manner in which the service was controlled, and had heard nothing of any " handy man'' until the commission commenced its ihvestifation.' He'heard something of political inuence, but did not; believe there was much in it. ' ' .Constable, Donovan stated that he, had been ill,the force since 1883. In 1894 he had asked the then commissioner (Colonel Hume) why he had hot been promoted; and', the reply was that "he had not uncles and aunts, enough." Continuing, Constable Donovan said that .he had, been removed from the control of Coromaiidel station as, a, result of political influence. An hofcelkeeper there, against whom he had aecurtd a conviction, announced himself as a Parliamentary candidate, and, after addressing ■ several meetings, withdrew from the contest, on the.'understanding that witness was to bo removed from the. district, and witness' was accordingly • removed, de : spite-the fact that he had been recommended j by his inspector for promotion, in reward for '■/ Sir. Bishop, after hearing Constabto Donovnn's evidence', and examining! ,his : record, said that it seemed to be a hard case, but it was difficult ,to; afford relief in the case of elderly constables who had been overlooked.' He would\consider the case, but could , make no promise of relief. The Hon. J. M'Gowan, ex-Minister for Justice, will give evidence to-morrow.