POLICE SCANDAL.
CHARGEb AGAINST TWO CONSTABLES. ALLEGED ASSAULT. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 12. A case which excited considerable interest was heard before Mr W. G. Riddel I, S.M.. in the Magistrate's Court, this afternoon. Two constables,, named, respectively, John Edward Watson and Wm. Joseph Gardiner, were charged on the information of Sub-Inspector Phair with having unlawfully assaulted Wm. Rolfe, at Wellington, on May 10th. The same defendants were also charged on separate informations with having assaulted Florence Beatrice Roll'e at the same time and place. Inspector Ellison appeared to prosecute, and Mr Wilford appeared for defendants, who pleaded not guilty.
Mr Wilford said the case was an important one. The men, though constables, were in civilian dress at the time. The whole of their future depended on the result. Defendants were served with summonses yesterday morning. He had had two interviews with them, and it wan impossible for him to defend ihem properly at such short notice. Witnesses from the steamer Kaipara had also to be called an hour or two ago. Fresh evidence had reached him which ha had not had time to trace, and he publicly protestad against such extreme haste. Inspector Ellison said two of the witnesses were «camen on the Kaipara. He had no objectoi to the case being adjourned after their evidence had been heard- The vessel leaves Lytteltou for England on th 3 20th. Mr Wilford urged that defendants were entitled to have a proper defence, put up, even if it involved peeping of the witnesses from the KaipflM. His Worship agreed that it was only reasonable that cJ§fe^- ants should have eVeX? opportunity of preparing their defence.
After discussion it was decided to adjourn the hearing of the case until 2.15 p.m. on the 17th inst. It is understood that the charges arise out of an incident which took place in the vicinity of the Post Office on Monday night, when informant Rolfe took exception to treatment which it is alleged the two defendants were meting out to a third constable, all of whom were in civilian attire. The female informant ia said to have also received some injuries to her face in the disturbance. The two defendants are under suspension pending the hearing of the case*
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19090513.2.23
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3188, 13 May 1909, Page 5
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375POLICE SCANDAL. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3188, 13 May 1909, Page 5
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