POLICE RECORDS INCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 122, 1 September 1910, Page 5

POLICE RECORDS INCIDENT

THE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. By Telegraph. —Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. The report of the Commissioner of Police in regard to what is known as "The Christchurch "Police Records Incident," was presented to Parliament today. ■ Mr. Waldegrave states that on his re- | cent visit to Christchurch, he made further enquiry regarding the alteration in the charge book and bail book at the Christchurch Police Station. It appeared that between 10 and 11 o'clock on the night of Saturday, May 7 Inst, B. P. Manhire was brought to the Police Station on a charge of drunkenness, and his proper name was entered on the charge book. Early on the following morning (Sunday), he was admitted to lba.il, and signed the bail book in his usual name. On Sunday evening Mr. Davey, M.'P., saw the Inspector of Police for the purpose of arranging that Manhire's name should not ibe called in Court. The Inspector thereupon instructed the station sergeant to alter the name in the charge book and bail book. The charge book was altered by striking out the name "B. P. Manhire" and inserting the name "James Brown." The page of the< bail book containing the bond entered into by Manhire was torn out and destroyed, and a fresh bond was taken and signed .by Mpnhirc as "James Brown." These were the admitted facts. A statement had been made that a constable was taken from duty in the watch-house and placed on street duty as a punishment for having protested against any alteration of the books, but he had satisfied himself that there were no grounds whatever for any such suggestion. Mr. Waldegrave added that lie would address a further memorandum to the 'Minister later on as to future arrangements in Christchurch, but meanwhile lie merely stated the, facts of the case. There was no discussion on the report.