A PROTEST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 4

A PROTEST.

CITIZEN COMPLAINS OP POLICE ACTION. Strong complaint is made by a correspondent,. M. J. Ford, of the attitude of the police towards him ill connection with the robbery at Wainui-o-rnata of £200, the property of Messrs. Martin, Hurrell, and Snaddon, contractors. Mr. Ford states that he had his attention drawn by a woman living near the contractors' office to tho window of tho office being out, and as a result he informed the contractors. The robbery from the office was then discovered. When the police arrived their attitude towards Ford and an emwas, he considers, unjustified and improper. Finger-prints wero taken, and his (Ford's) premises searched (with his consent), and inquiries were' made as to his character and financial status. Mr. Ford's story continues- as follows: "I am catering here for the men employed on the reservoir, and also have two sub-con-tracts getting wood and sand, in all bringing me in over £10 a week clear profit, so am in a fair way in business, and consider the .police officer (named) by his conduct was liable to injure mo with business people. I am a married man with three children, and have worked here since the commencement of the job, and can produce testimonials from leading people of New South Wales and New Zealand, and have never 'been charged with any crime in my life. Why did not the police search other people's places in the camp, and inquire as to their character and finances?"

[A representative of The Dominion referred the subject to Inspector Ellison, but that officer declined to express any opinion as to the allegations made.]