CASE OF DETECTIVE MILLER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1677, 18 February 1913, Page 9

CASE OF DETECTIVE MILLER.

- ~ STATEMENT BY THE HON. A. L HERDMAN. i "SLACKNESS SOMEWHERE.". The oass of cx-Detcctive J. P. Miller, who is applying for a rehearing of'the. magisterial inquiry as a result of which he vras sent to the Roto Roa Inebriates' Home, iras mentioned by a reporter yesterday to the Hon. A. L. Herdinan (Minis-, ter for Justico). Mr. Herdman made tho •following statement on'the subject:— .■'Tho statements made by Miller as to' his practical abstention from alcohol for some years are not borne out by his Departmental record ■

As to tho question of his committal to Roto Roa, the matter is, of course, one that is entirely within the jurisdiction of tho magistrate, but from inquiries made When tho question of the legality of tho committal was first raised by Miller himself in a letter written me from Roto'Roa, I am certain that the magistrate satisfied himself on the evidence of doctors and others that the case was ono in which the evidence disclosed the necessity for acceding to tho application of a relative in terms of the Reformatory Institutions Act, for his committal to the Roto Roa Home. t "It is true that repeated applications from Miller and his friends have been made for his release from the borne, but the same may be saM of a number of the inmates of Roto Roa or of any other similar institution. I am inundated with the applications of inebriates for release. Miller's case has been given every consideration. I have called for special reports from a Stipendiary Magistrate in Lis capacity as an Inspector of Reformatory Institutions, and, from the manager of tho homo. Both- reports • have now come to hand, and the advice and information contained in them would havo been acted upon at once, but for.the fact that I learned that Miller was at large; in Auckland without leave. As no intimation of this had reached the Department from any official source, I wished to know tho full facts of tho coso before finally dealing with the .matter, and when that information comes to hand I shall bo prepared to tako final action.

"Tho manager of Roto Roa Island states that Miller is at liberty ,in Auckland upon the authority of a magistrate's order. .The magistrate, on the other hand, states that no authority has been given by him permitting Miller to bo at largo in Auckland. Tho wholo position is unsatisfactory, and shows that there is' a slackness somewhere, and I must get to the root of'the matter, and Miller must return to Roto Roa before I say what I shall do in tho .direction of sanctioning his release. '.■■''-., "I have lead the: notes of evidence which the magistrate took. when Miller was coramittod. Tho evidence given by Drs. Lindsay and Sharman- and Mrs. Miller of the man's habits is most convincing." '.'.,■ STATEMENT •BY STAFF-CAPTAIN ; " :; :. : haynes. ; (By Tslfirraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, February 17. The Court officials declined to discuss tho caso of ex-Detective Miller this morning when seen by a reporter, beyond stating that the Salvation Army'and not'tho Court was responsible for tho fact that .Miller was at large. Once a patient is committed to Roto Roa the Army officials become responsible for his safe keeping. . Staff-Captain Haynes, officer in charge of the Roto Ron Institution, seendon tho subject, said ho: could not express an opinion onoway or tho other. Miller had been brought to Auckland for a rehearing of his case, and by rights should havo gono back to tho island long ago. In fact he had instructed Miller to return, and unless he did so by to-morrow tho assistance of, the police would have to bo invoked. What was to bo dono ultimately/in Miller's case remained with, tho Minister, to'decree. ..:', • :' "Miller was this morning .informed by Staff-Captain Haynes that ho had to go back to the institution, to-morrow, and •Miller has expressed his willingness to. accede, and say he has volunteered all' along to go. back at any tinio that he was recalled^; Miller adds that this is ,tho first intimation he has had that he was'wanted to return.