AN INQUIRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17281, 23 September 1916, Page 10

AN INQUIRY.

WEST' COAST CONSTABLE'S CASE. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 22. Last session tho case of a Greymouth constable, Peter Moloney, was disouaaad, a suggestion heing made that he ; was. dismissed from the force on .an :;untruo charge. Consequently a commission, consisting of Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M. (chairman), Mr Herbert Orowther and Inspector Norwood was set ur>. to inquire into certain charges of nusconduct which led to 'Moloney's dismissal. . The Commission has furnished its report .as follows: "After hearing evidence wo are of opinion that Moloney was -not guilty of the charge so alleged against him. The only presumption of guilt on his part was contained in tho fact that during a Departmental inquiry before Inspector Phair Moloney refused to submit to tho jurisdiction of that tribunal or take any steps to establish his innocence-, because he considered, quite wrongly in our opinion, that Inspector Phair was biased'against him, and on that account demanded another tribunal to try-liim. Ho went so far as to deliberately suppress evidence that if produced there and then wouldhave consple'tely established his innocence of the chaa-lre against him. This conduct was highly reprehensible, and besides has been tho cause of great trouble and misunderstanding to all concerned."