Police Commission.

Manawatu Herald, 23 April 1898, Page 3

Police Commission.

POLICE NOT FREE AS TO

PUBLIC HOUSES.

At the Police Commission on Wednesday morning, Messrs Joyce, Tanner and G.J Smith, M.'sH.R, were present in obedience to summonses.

The Rev F. W. Isitt stated that , from 1886 he had been trying to ascertain how the licensing laws were observed. He with others, had organised a system of watching the ( hotels, and had reason to suppose j that there were apparently 4000 breaches of the licensing law on one Sunday. They counted the number : of people who entered the houses and thought they were justified in concluding that these people did not go there for milk. He had made representations to Inspector Broham, respecting breaches of the law at one hotel. No action was taken by the ! police. They then approached Colonel Hume, with the result that a prosecution took place and a con- j viction or two waß obtained. Witness i had told Inspector Broham that a I constable had told tim (Mr Isitt) i that if he were allowed a free hand he could run in ten publicans any day. Mr Broham swore for Beveral minutes and said, " I'd have him out of the force if I knew his name." Wimess said, " You will not know bis name from me, and only I know it." He had waited on Inspector Broham in consequence of what had b*>en said to him by several Methodist ministers as to Bly grog-selling at Cheviot and Tepapa. Mr Broham ■»aid he could not do nothing : that he had neither men nor money. The difficulty witness understood arose from the want of constables I who were not well known. „To Inspector Broham ; Mr Brotold him that every constable had a perfectly free hand in carrying out the licensing law. Mr Broham used the strong language because he was incensed with the constable for telling witness what he (Mr Broham) considered an untruth. Mr Broham always declared that he was doiDg all he could to enforce the law, but no action was taken. So many policemen had told him that their hands were tied that he believed the mon. Inspector Broham : And disbelieved the In?pector ? Witness : I had reason to do so. In reply to Mr Tunbridge, Mr Isitt said that there appeared to ba a general opinion among the polio* that they were not perfectly free in cases affecting publichouses. Many men throughout the colony had told him the same thing. Commissioner Tunbridge said he would like the men to have their minds disabused on that point at once. Aa Commissioner of Police he desired the men to take action in any cafes of breaches of the law, whether against publicans or prohibitionists, and any man < who said that he had it in his mind that he was not to do 10 was under a false

impression, or was deliberately telling what was not true.

inspector Cullen deposed that in 1886, when a second class sergeant, he had been transferred from Timaru at the instance of a seotion of the publicans because, with Inspector Bioham, he had been active in suppressing Sunday trading. He knew this, because a solicitor employed by one of the parties against him had told him bis aemoval had been asked for, and that he would be removed. Mr T. E. Taylor asked if Mr Cullen had ever known an luspector of Police to prompt in open Court counsel for a man accused of spiel, ing. Inspector Tunbridge said if the question was answered it might be his duty to insist on the name of the inspector being given. The chairman ruled that Mr Cullen must answer the question without indicating any individual. Mr Cullen said he considered he had known of such an instance. Be had not heard what was said, but had drawn an inference. Mr Tunbridge asked if he could ask the name of the inspeotor re* ferred to, but the chairman said he could not.

Inspector Cullen said that the hotels in Ghristohurch were as well conducted as those in any part of the colony. At 5 o'clock the Commission adjourned till to morrow. — Press Association.