CONSTABLE SMYTH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1833, 21 August 1913, Page 7

CONSTABLE SMYTH.

PETITION TOR REINSTATEMENT.

Mr. P. C. Webb yesterday presented a petition to Parliament from ex-Constable C. G. Smyth, protesting against his dismissal from tho polioe force, and applying for reinstatement. The document is a very lengthy one, covering fifteen closelywritten pages of foolscap. Petitioner, who it will be remembered was dismissed for breaches of tho regulations at Groymouth, bases his appeal on five main grounds :—(l) That tho verdict of "guilty was not in accordance with the weight of evidence; (2) that, even if guilty, tho verdict was too drastic; (3) that dismissal for such an offence as liis was entirely without precedent even for men with bad conduct sheets, while his was good;' (4) that the Minister's support of the Commissioner's action had been given without duo consideration of tho evidence; and (5) that tho Commissioner's report influencing tho Minister was an entirely false and misleading report. Arguments aro advanced in support of each plea. Petitioner states that the offence for which ho was dismissed occurred on the fourth night he was on duty at Groymouth. Ho had uo watch, and from the wharf lie could not- hear the town clock. After he judged he had been on duty about eight hours, he asked a man on one of the boats what tho time was, and was told it was about four o'clock. After waiting for another hour fio returned to tho watch-house and signed the book. Tho time that, had been told him was wrong, and petitioner represents that ho did not wilfully sign tho book as at five o'clock. He did that mistakingly, innocently, and without any ulterior motive, fpr lie could not benefit by it.

Petitioner further traverses tho statements of tho Minister for Justico made in the House in detail, and claims that they were made upon insufficient data and wrong premises. Tho Commissioner is charged with prejudice against, and unkind treatment of, Smyth, and Parliament is asked to order a full inquiry, which petitioner is confident "will result in tho complete clearing of my character, and in my reinstatement in tho police force."