POLICE MATTERS.

NZ Truth, Issue 123, 26 October 1907, Page 5

POLICE MATTERS.

SHICER SHEEHAN OF NEWfOWN. What is Mcllveney Doing? Why Not Send Him After Matenga. "Truth," it would appear, is not the only paper m this Dominion that is not afraid .to say what it thinks and knows of the police, for we find "Sport," an Auckland newspaper, saying some very harsh things concerning one Sergeant Sheehan, who is boss at Newton, and whose treatment of the men under him is such that they prefer to resign than to stand the reign of terrorism that this Sheehan creates. It so happens that "Truth" has said a great deal concerning the maladministration of Auckland's Police Force, and this is particularly due to the autocratic domineering, manner of Czar Cullen, who has his eye on the Police Commissionership as soon as dunderhead Dinnie thinks the time is ripe to give up ■ j HIS CHIEF CONSTABULARY GHOST. Cullen seems to set a bad example to his underlings by his bounce and bullying tactics, and, moreover, he has a lot of pimps m the foorce, and, judging by what is gathered about shicer Sheehan, he is one of the favored pets. Sheehan is not altogether unknown m Christchurch, and he is the same individual who, last year, was responsible for a. serious riot at Waihi. This Sheehan seems to do what he likes when and where he likes and there is no one to say boo to him. Anyhow, Sheehan has a cobber m one Mcllveney, not the sly-grog-catching chief detective, but his brother, who seems to be hand m glove with Slieehan, and the result is interesting. Whether Mcllveney smoodges to Sheehan and the pair m their turn smoodge to Cullen, "Truth" cannot very well say ; at anyrate, the pair are constantly looking out for trouble, and whenever any constable comes m contact with either, there is the very deyil to pay. Sheehan has engineered a lot of trouble since he has been at Newton, and it cannot be denied that owing to his truculent nature, his cowardly ccnduct and bullying bounce, a numb3r of men have either resigned or threatened to resign, and Inspector Czs.r Cullen, for fear that other trouble might ensue, has actually offered the disaffected men transferrals to other districts. This is all very well, but why m the name of all that is wonderful does not Cullen insist on Sheehan's removal. Sheehan seems a VERY USEFUL AND OBLIGING TOOL, and that no doubt accounts for lots of things. More, "Truth" understands, is to be heard of Sheehan and his shameful treatment of his subordinates, so. until then it might be just as well to watch and await developments. Now, however, that this, paper is on police matters, and remembering that boss bobby Dinnie has been talking a lot lately of the police reforms effected, it will be very interesting to know" what on earth has been done with Chief 'Tec. Mcllveney. Now, this sleuth is on velvet. Having a pull, he has been shoved over the heads and shoulders of men his superiors m ability and length of service. Mcllveney has been promoted to a lucrative post, and he was to have done all sorts of things m the crook-catching and criminal investigation business. Now, "Truth" wants to know what he is doing for a crust. Beyond the easy capture of Mclntyre and a trip round the globe thrown m, Mac has done absolutely nothing. He might be pining to do something grand, and "Truth" proposes something for him. The Maori bushranger, Matenga, has been seen of late. He is breaking out m fresh places, and who is the man to catch him. Why, Mac, of course ! Others have tried to capture Matenga, but singularly failed, and "Truth," just for the sake of showing how money is spent, would like some member Of Parliament to ask what money has been expended so far m the efforts to capture Matenga. The last man-hunt was a glorious outing for those, concerned, and it is said that more than one regretted the fact when orders ■ came from headquarters to cease the chase. IT WAS A VERITABLE. PICNIC for one or two, as "Truth" has said, and it is doubtful whether Commissioner Dinnie would like to have placed on record the cost of that chase. Nevertheless, as Mcllveney is reputed to be a top-notcher m the crook-catching business, it might be just as well that he should put m his spare time trying to muzzle Matenga. Mcllveney is on a good wicket. The job suited him, and he suits the job, because there is little to do and he has all the week to do it m. MeIlvehey's elevation to this post is a scandalous piece of business. There is> something rotten somewhere, and it would not be a bad idea if some member of the House of Reps, got mighty curious, and asked several questions concerning this man's qualifications for the job. It bears out "Truth's" oft-repeated assertions that gross favoritism exists m the Police Force. There are men, policemen and detectives, who are doing good oml conscientious work. Their claims to promotion are persistently overlooked. Because they have no masonic pull or do not belong to club cliques and coteries, their progress is retarded. There are lots of things connected with New Zealand's Police Force 'that badly require investigation, but just now Shicer Sheehan of Newton and Chief Detective Mcllveney of New Zealand m general, and nowhere m particular, are circumstances which should receive prompt attention.