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Police-station, Nelson, 6th March, 1902. Report of Constable T. S. C. Kemp re Offences in Attached Memorandum No. 165. Offence No. I. —l respectfully report that about four months ago I bought a valuable sheepdog pup to send to my brother at Hampden, Otago, intending to ship him same day by the s.s. " Upolu," this being the only steamer that I could send him by without transhipment. Owing to the " Upolu's " running being altered I was unable to do as I intended. I brought the dog to the station and tied him behind the water-closet, which is distant from the nearest part of the station 35 yards. Sergeant Mackay informed me that I would not be allowed to keep a dog about the station. On explaining to him how I was situated, he agreed to allow the dog to remain tied up providing I shipped him by the first boat. This I did. Sergeant Mackay, in charge, Nelson.
Charge No. 2. —Highly improper conduct as a police constable in going behind the bar-counter at the Exchange Hotel, Nelson, against the wish of the barmaid, about the middle of January last, and supplying himself and friend with drink and cigars and refusing to pay for same when asked to do so. Finding.— -The evidence in this case discloses too much familiarity between the constable and the licensee and barmaid at the Exchange Hotel. Had the constable been on duty it would have been a much more serious matter. Ido not believe the constable had any intention of refusing to pay for the drink and cigars, or that he helped himself to them against the expressed wish of the barmaid or licensee. As a police constable he by this action was placing himself in a false position towards persons against whom he might at any time have to take proceedings. Under these circumstances, I severely reprimand and caution him, and the question of his removal to another station will be considered. J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police.
Charge No. 2. Mrs. Harriett Witt, widow, licensee of the Exchange Hotel, Nelson, examined by Inspector Macdonell, states : — About three months ago I had a barmaid in my employ named Eva Sanford. She had been with me about a month or six weeks at that time. Miss Sanford was taken to the Nelson Hospital a week ago, and is still an inmate there. The doctor has not told me what she is suffering from, but I understand she is likely to be there two months. I remember seeing Constable Kemp in my hotel in plain clothes one night. I did not see Kemp come in. When I first saw him he was in the passage near the bar, and Mr. Oakey was with him. I am not aware that any person except Kemp and Mr. Oakey were present. I could not say if they had anything to drink. I was talking to Mr. Oakey, and I cannot now remember anything particular taking place. I cannot remember if they were smoking or not. I did not hear any dispute going on about any matter. I cannot remember any dispute between the barmaid and Kemp while I was there. lam unable to say how long they remained. It may have been a quarter of an hour and it may have been longer. I cannot remember seeing them leave, or if any others came in. I remember Constables Kemp and Durbridge coming to my house one night shortly afterwards about closing-time. They came in the back door. Neither of them made any reference to a previous dispute. I cannot now remember if either of them offered me any money on that occasion. Neither of them said anything about getting my license indorsed. They did not remain more than about two minutes, I should say. I think Constable Burrell was in uniform and Kemp in plain clothes. It was Burrell who was with Kemp, not Durbridge. I suppose they came in to see if things were all right. They found everything all right. I think they said something about the barmaid being in the bar. She was just leaving the bar when they came in. I cannot remember now exactly what was said ; it was so long ago. I remember you calling at my house to see the barmaid. After you had seen the barmaid you saw me. It was some time before midday. You had been talking to her in the room off the bar. She was attending to the bar at the time. You then asked me questions, and I was very nervous. I could not say five minutes afterwards what you had asked me. I really do not now remember what I did say to you. I'signed a statement. I signed the statement believing at that time that as you were the Inspector I was obliged to sign it. I do not remember telling you verbally any particulars before you commenced to write. Ido not remember you taking down a statement of mine. I remember signing something you had written. Ido not remember you reading over a statement which the barmaid had made. I do not now remember signing the following statement : " I heard the statement made by Miss Sanford and can corroborate it as being correct." Cross-examined by Mr. Maginnity.] I saw no skylarking on that particular night. By Commissioner.] I have no recollection of Constable Kemp or any other person having tendered me money in payment of drink or cigars had by Kemp and Oakey on the night in question. I do not consider Kemp or Oakey still owes me money for drink and cigars had on the night in question. If any such money was owing me it would be entered in my book, and there is no record of anything of the kind entered there. There has never been any such familiarity existing between Kemp and any person at my house to lead me to suppose he would obtain drink without payment. Harriett Witt. Ernest Oakey, engineer, Bridge Street, Nelson, examined by Inspector Macdonell, states: — I remember being in the Exchange Hotel, Nelson, some time before Christmas last, I believe, with Constable Kemp. It was in the evening, between 8 and 9.30. We did not go to the hotel together, but Ido not now recollect which went there first. Kemp and I had a drink together, but I cannot remember which one paid for it. I fancy Kemp " shouted " first. Ido not remember if
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