THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 26 August 1909, Page 2

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

AU'KhAND SITTIXIiS. 15y Telegraph.—Press Association. ; Auckland, Wednesday. At the Police Commission, Sergeant Mieahau complained of the work of what lie described as "the handy man." While he was in charge of the Newton station the inspector received a telegram from tile commissioner ask* ing him to report on the efficiency and organisation of the station, as lie had reason to wonder whether a change was not desirable and would like to make a recommendation to that ell'eet. There was 110 excuse whatever for the complaint, and lie could only conclude it was the work of a handy man. SerI geant Slieahan s>'aid there was an in- ! ferior class of men entering the force i during the last three years. Many of them are what were called wasters and not tit for the service.

Auckland, Last Night. Do you think that there is any fall-ing-oil' in the physique of the men entering the force to-day as compared with a few years ago?

Sergt. Sheahan: Yes. There has ben very inferior class of men entering 11k* force during the last three years. A| great many are what you would call; 4 wasters," and not at all litted for the i service. When they get in it is dillicult to get them out again as long as they behave themselves. Mr. Bishop: To what do you attribute this state of things? Sergeant Sheahan: Oh. men come here from Australia and elsewhere and they contaminate the others. Mr. Uishop: And what is the reason of it? Are no good men available? Witness: I do not see why they should not be available, but 1 think the small rate of pay ofl'ered is a bar. Another thing its that Ihe youth of the Dominion docs 7iot seem inclined 'to knuckle down to discipline. Mr. Dinnie. Commissioner of Police, submitted Sergt. Sjheahan to a eross-ox-amiTiation on the question of "handv men" without shaking the conviction of the sergeant that these "handy men'' existed. The discipline in the Auekhnd district was referred to by the witn.ss -■\< the best in Now Zealand. He did mil think that sergeants (should be allowed "to remain more than six years at one station.

The Commission then adjourned until to-morrow morning.