Samoan Barrister’s Premises Raided

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 302, 13 March 1928, Page 11

Samoan Barrister’s Premises Raided

ACTION BY POLICE AN UNEXPLAINED WARRANT ANE of the first acts of the Sav - moan Administration after the arrival of the warships from New Zealand was to raid the offices of Mr. T. B. SI pper, barrister and solicitor (formerly of Wanganui), and Mr. S. H. Meredith, commission agent. Details of the raid have come i»» hand from the “Samoa Guardian ' which says:— “While the warships we? • mooring two constables suddenly appeared in the building occupied as offices by Mr. Meredith and Mr. Slippys They produced a search warrant and immediately commenced to act unde: it. A number of papers were exam ined, including some relating to M • Slipper's private practice. While flu search was in progress two other polio 4 ' officers were, unknown to Mr Slipper searching his private lodgings and at the same time two more policemen were searching Mr. Meredith’s resi deuce at Vailoa. Nothing was discovered. In an interview Mr. Slipper said: “A search warrant was read to me in my office by Comtable Irwin, who wa accompanied by. I believe. Constable Shields, from New Zealand. They were engaged in their search in ray offio when I came in from watching the warships. Though they made a most thorough search they carried out their duties with courtesy and consideration. FOUND NOTHING “Of course, it is regrettable that they were compelled to handle documents affecting my practice and clients. I assisted them, to the best of my ability, and I need hardly say they found nothing. Apparently at the same time as my office was being raided, my rooms at Pesega, w'here 1 am lodging, were also raided. Later in the day I found papers and othervbelongings, including mementoes of mjT dead son as well as trunks contain.ng music, etc., left in a disorderly state. However, I do not complain. They acted under a search warrant signed by a responsible official. I am naturally curious to know what information he had before him upon which he issued a warrant.’* Mr. Slipper pointed out that in New Zealand the practice was that the authority issuing the warrant first required evidence on oath from the informant, signed by the informant. Mr. Slipper is hopeful that he may be permitted to discover who was the informant in this case and what was sworn to. However, he has his doubts. As a British barrister and an officer holding his Majesty’s commission as a captain, Mr. Slipper would not commit himself to any further statement in the matter. Mr. Meredith, who occupies offices in the same building, corroborated Mr. Slipper’s statement as to what happened. He said he gave the police all the assistance he could; he received courteous treatment from the officers. He was informed that a search was being made at his residence at \axloa. and as he had in his possession the keys of certain boxes at his house he proceeded there so that the boxes could oe examined. RUSTY GUN FOUND Everything was conducted in an orderly manner. The police found nothing at either his office or residence. Mr. Meredith was unaware as to the reason for the search of his premises under warrant. A second raid was made on the residence o£ JNlr. Slipper, but nothing came of it. The business premises of the lion. A. Williams also came in for attention ! from the raiding party. .During his absence a squall oi men irons one of the warships entered his premises and made a thorough search. Being successful in locating a rusty old breechloading gun, they carried the trophy away as evidence at least that they had been well on the job. No search warrant was presented. Several native houses were searched, but the only captures were a few fish spears and several knives. The search generally was for firearms and implements of warfare.