POLICE COMMISSION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 294, 28 May 1898, Page 2

POLICE COMMISSION.

COMMISSIONER TUNBRIDGF/3 EVIDENCE. (BY telegraph—press association). Wellington, Thursday. At the Police Commission, Commissioner Tunbridge, when examined by Colonel Hume, expressed the opinion that all candidates for the force should visit Wellington for examination. He approved of the system of plain clothes constables, and if found efficient, they should be absorbed in the deteetive force. He recognised the serious difficulty of amending the bona fide traveller system with respect to licensed houses. He would not recommend the English custom with regard to opening hottls twice on Sundays. Witness favoured the pension fund for constables. He said that from investigations he had made since he came to the colony, he could pit his opinion against that of the legislator who said that the whole police force was honeycombed with abuse and corruption. He made this statement, knowing he was responsible for the force. He considered that the force compared very favourably with others. He did not consider drunkenness prevalent in the force, and the general conduct of the force was no worse than that of any other portion of the community, which, however, was not saying very much, as it ought to be better, since it was the duty of the police to strictly observe as well as maintain the law. He found nothing in the records to substantiate Inspector Broham's statement that it was of no use trying to do anything with men who had political influence, Napier, Last Night.

The Police Commission has again resumed. Several witnesses deposed that they had been in Emerson's company at different times, and denied ever seeing him the worse for liquor or gambling. Geo. Heslop, J.P., said he saw him drinking on a steamer while alongside the Wairoa vt harf.

Taylor, J.r., Woodville, detailed an episode at the races, when Emerson threatened to have him locked up. F. Logan, solicitor, deposed that the Inspector was not sober on the occasion of a trip to Gisborne about the time of his transfer to the Hawke's Bay district.

Horace Baker, surveyor, a fellow passenger of Logan's, while not prepared to say that Emerson was drunk, thought Emerson's conduct objectionable.