THE CHRISTCHURCH SCANDAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 887, 3 September 1910, Page 4

THE CHRISTCHURCH SCANDAL.

A JUSTICE’S NAME SUPPRESSED. OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE CASE. The report of the Commissioner of Police (Mr F. Waldegrave) on his inquiry regarding the alteration in the charge-book and the bail-book at the Christchurch police station, which culminated in the retirement of Inspector Gillies, inspector in charge of the Christchurch police district, was laid on the table of the House of Representatives yesterday and received without discussion. The text of the report, which is addressed to the Minister of Justice, is as follows“On my recent visit to Christchurch I made further inquiry regarding the alteration in charge-book and bailbook at the Christchurch police station. It appears that between 10 and n o’clock on the night of Saturday, May 7th last, B. P. Manhire was brought to the police station on a charge of drunkenness, and his proper name was entered in the charge-book. Early on the following morning (Sunday) he was admitted to bail and signed the bail-hook in his usual name. On Sunday evening Mr Davey, M.P., saw the of

police for the purpose of arranging that Manhire’s name should not be called in court. The inspector thereupon instructed the station-sergeant to alter the name in the charge-book and bail-book. The charge-book was altered by striking out the name B. P. Manhire and inserting the name ‘James Brown.’ The page of the bailbook containing the bond entered into by Manhire was torn out and destroyed, and a fresh bond was taken and signed by Manhire as ‘James Brown.’ These are the admitted facts. A statement has been made that a constable was taken from duty in the watchhouse and placed on street duty as a punishment for having protested against any alteration of the books. I have satisfied myself that there are no grounds whatever for any such suggestion. I shall address a further memorandum to you later on as to future arrangements in Christchurch, but meanwhile I merely state the facts of the case.” (Signed) F» Waedegrave.