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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 943, 19 January 1911, Page 2

A number of Christchurch residents deputationised the Hon. Dr Findlay, Minister for Justice, at Christchurch recently, asking lor either the reinstatement of ex-In-spector Gillies or his appointment to some other office under the Government. It will be remembered that Mr Gillies was retired from the police force in consequence of irregularities occurring over the arrest of a local Justice of the Peace last year on a charge of drunkenness. The charge sheet was altered with the intention of concealing the name of the person arrested. The deputation emphasised the long and honourable career of Mr Gillies in the service of the country, and expressed the opinion that his punishment was unduly severe. Dr Findlay frankly declared that personally he was entirely opposed to granting the desire of the deputation. The discipline of the police force must be maintained, and irregularities punished promptly. It was his intention to see the good name of the force and the reputation of the Dominion in the administration of justice upheld. The offence that occurred was far more serious when committed by a man holding a responsible position than if committed by a constable. The Minister promised to lay the request of the deputation before the Cabinet, but expressed his own firm conviction thatl the matter should rest where it was. We feel sure that every person who has the welfare of the police force at heart will endorse the Minister’s action. For obvious reasons, and in order to maintain clean administration the sub-in-spector’s punishment should not be mitigated.

It has been reported that several of the Wanganui Education Board’s teachers, who have just completed their terms as pupil teachers, evince a strong disinclination to go to the Training College. It appears that this sort of thing is general throughout the colony, and the Board has the impression that a reason for the reluctance is that the teachers do not wish to be bound for the two years which entrance to the college entails, and that they are making a convenience of the Board, and do not intend to adopt teaching as a profession. The Board has rightly informed four teachers that if they are not prepared to go to the Training College the Board cannot guarantee them employment beyond the term of the pupil-teacher-ship, unless they obtain certiorates.