THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 191, 16 September 1909, Page 3

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

THE EDUCATION TEST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wedncsday

At the Police Commission to-day, Mr. G. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools, was examined. He explained the procedure which should be followed in granting certificates of proficiency. He did not think the reduction from a fifth to a fourth standnrd certificate for enrolment in the police force would be a good thing. He also thought it would not be advisable to lower tiie present education test. As to the statement that the police did an enormous amount of work for the Education Department. Mr. ' Hogben said this was a matter of policy. The Education Department was undef-stafM. In future the police would not be ,-e- J quired to do so much for his Depart- ' ment. The police were peculiarly suited to do the work'', and he thought the Police Department should be credited with the wore it did for the Education ijt'partment. He admitted that a great deal of work was piaced on the inspect.- i ors of police in carrying out the orders . of the Court in respect of the maintenance of children in industrial schools. Acting-Detective Abbott said he left the force because he refused to serve under Sergeant Sheehan at Auckland. He re-joined as constable in 1908 and tva« appointed an aeting-detectivc. He denied that he acted as pimp in Auckland.

Mr. Bishop, S.M., said that in view of the statements made by Abbott anJ the evidence given in Auckland he was convinced then) was something radically wronjr ; n the force.

A SERGEANT'S LAMENTATION. ■ Wellington, Last Night. Sergeant Mathieson (Wellington South), with 22 years' service, complained of the system of promotion, also that le had been transferred from Invcrcarjjill to an inferior station at Wellington South without any reason being given. He considered there was some motive underlying the 'transfer. He had asked Inspector Dinnie for the motive, and his leply was that "these transfers were advisable." Witness complained of his treatment by Inspector Ellison, >vh"o seemed to think that nothing witness did was right. Witness complained that when one of the constables und.-r him had made certain enquiries and forwarded wh'at witness considered a complete answer to the inspector's minute, a junior constable had been seat from Mount Cook to complete the enquiry. Withes accepted this as a direct insult by Inspector Ellison. With regard to administration generally, the fueling throughout Invercargill was that Commissioner Dinnie was simply a Jigure-head and anything to he done here had to be done through Mr Wright, nvho was the dominating influence.

To Mr. Dinnie: He was seven years in the Invercargill district. He distinctly »em«mberca Commissioner Dinnie iuiormivg v, n- that he had been recommended for promotion.

Commissioner Dinnie produced a file showing that witness had not been recommended for promotion by Commissioner Tunbridgc in 11104. "Could you be expected to be promoted when you iwcre not'' recommended!" asked Mr. Dinnie.

OTHER EVIDENCE.

Sergeant Kelly appeared on behalf f the sergeants of Wellington district. They agreed' with a majority of the proposals of the Auckland police sergeants. He knew of no person who had attempted to use influence in the matter of promotion. There was no discontent amongst the Wellington police, •with the exception of two or three disappointed, vindictive men. Sergt. Dale said sergeants were asked io do too much at night. There was no time to' converse with constables. More practical work should be done by men going to the training depot. They came down from the depot full of law, tut di : not know the first lesson of police d.•••.-—how to work a neat. lii-;«t'.«r Ellison: Have you received • ; r and considerate treatment while i have been under me!

.Sergeant Dale: The fairest I haw ever received in the New Zealand police force. I say this to your face: You me the straightest gentlema n I have ever dealt with.