POLICE COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1539, 22 August 1905, Page 3

POLICE COMMISSION.

INCREASING- THE FORCE,

[(Per Press Association.} Wellington, last night.

The Police Commission has sent in its report to the Governor. It is understood the Commission recommends the adoption of the major portion of the Police Commissioner’s scheme for increasing the force; also that the greatest care he taken in the selection of men for future appointments as constables. .. '

FEIENDLY: RELATIONS EES TOREDIN AUCKLAND.

THE QUESTION OE EELIGION,

Speaking with regard to the friction existing between the inspector and sub-inspector at Auckland, Commissioner Dinnie, in his evidence [before the Police Commission, said he thought that the matter was due to the subinspector’s own imagination. Witness did not know why the matter was made public, unless it was “ to show the inspector up.” The subject was under consideration at the time.

Mr Bishop reminded the witness of a memo, written by Inspector Cullen, stating that Sub-Inspector Black was inefficient, incompetent, and practically incapable of conducting a case- in

Court, and said lie did not think tho memo, was altogether warranted. In referring to tho quostion of transferring Sub - Inspeotor Blaok, he (Mr. Bishop) said it seemed to him that the witness was very much restricted in the matter of making these transfers. Witness : I think if my rocommondations aro approved I will liavo loss difficulty iu dealing with the matter. Mr Bishop : You will not allow any unnecessary dolay in separating the sub-inspeotor and inspector-at Auckland? I Witness : No; lam told they are now very friendly, and that this inquiry has had a good effeot. . Mr Bishop : If they say “Let bygones be by-gones ” then wo have I justified our existence. I In connection with tho question of I the alleged preference given to Homan I Catholios as against Protestants in I regard to appointments of inspectors j and sub - inspectors, brought before the Commission by Constable Simpson, I Mr Poynton, in explaining why it was I that there were so many Homan Cath- I olios, in the force, said, practically I speaking, there Were no manufactories I in Ireland, and Irishmen, who might I

q have superior intelligence, coming out 4 here without a trade, drifted either b into the police force or hotelkeoping. 1 Witness spoke of a man of no i special ability having been appointed 3 a sergeant in 1905. Subsequently he ' turned Homan Catholio, and he was ) now a sub - inspector. Ho inferred [ that the man turned Roman Catholic because he thought ho would have better chances of promotion. On being asked to supply facts in support of his allegation, the witness said that in 1896. and, 1897 Messrs Cullen and Pratt' were appointed ; in 1899 Messrs Elison and Gillies (Protestants) were appointed; in 1900 Messrs O’Brien and McDonnell I were appointed; and in 1902 Messrs Kiely, Wilson, and Mitchell were appointed. Of these two were Pro-1 testents,.and five were Homan Catholics. He did not say they had no I ability; in fact, they were good men. I Mr Poynton : Inspector Cullen did I remarkable service in connection with I the detection of sly grog sellers in the I King Country. No other man had I been able to do what he did. Mr. I Cullen is a very good policeman. Mr. Bishop: But do yon think there , are better men?—l haven’t been far in the colony. Mr Poynton: In Auckland it was ‘ said that Inspector Cullen exercised ‘ his influence on behalf of a Homan 1 Catholic, but the Commissioner has 3 undertaken to prove that that is wrong. Speaking later on, Mr Dinnie said that Inspeotor Cullen, of Auckland, had been accused of favoring one de- 1 nomination more than .another. The witness submitted to the Commission a return which, on being perused by the Court, elicited the remark: “That puts a different complexion on the case.” The report in question showed that out of 14 sergeants whom Inspector Cullen recommended for promotion only three were Homan Catholics. Out of three constables recom- j mended for promotion to the rank of sergeant none were Homan Catholics, and out of the three persons recommended for acting-detectives, only one was a Homan Catholic. Witness said - there was not the slightest foundation ! for-the charge of preference in the force being given to Homan Catholics.