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51. That apparently is not the opinion held by others?—Of course, opinions may differ, but 1 assert it boldly. Ido not speak at random. I think before I speak. 52. You think transfers should be left to the Inspectors to deal with as regards their own districts ?—Yes, I think the recommendations of the Inspector should be given effect to without fail. 52a. Do you not know that there are a great many transfers that must take place as the result of misconduct and other reasons, and that certain men are qualified for certain stations?— That is what 1 have been trying to impress upon the Commission. The inspector has the best opportunity of knowing who are qualified for certain stations. 53. Suppose you wanted a man transferred from your district to another? —If I thought it was in the interests of the service that he should be transferred 1 should submit the matter to the Commissioner, giving my reasons, and let the Commissioner deal with it as he thought proper. 54. Suppose there was no vacancy in the other district for him ?—Then let him wait. 55. Would you keep the man waiting about for a vacancy?—No, I think the Commissioner should wait until he can find a vacancy. The Inspector has control of his own district only. Outside that he has no control, and that is why I suggest those transfers should be left to the Commissioner. He knows where tlie vacancies are and the stations most suitable for the men. But 1 referred only to transfers from station to station in my own district. 56. You know there are not always vacancies available, and it is almost impossible to carry it out_in tint way?—lt is quite easy, Mr. Dinnie, changing constables from one station to another. 07. You know we have frequent applications from men for transfers from one district to another, owing to ill health and all sorts of reasons, and owing to the difficulties we meet with in effecting transfers, do 3 ou not think it is best left to the head of the Department? We have also men to be transferred on account of bad conduct, and I am afraid if the matter were left to the Inspectors we should be in serious difficulties as regards transferring men from other districts when there was no vacancy for them?— Quite so, but I spoke only of transfers within the district itself. 58. lam afraid constables would not always accept transfers in that wav?—lf 1 had my way, constables would have to accept what was given to them. I was transferred to two or three different stations during the time I was constable, sergeant, and detective. I never objected to go to either of those stations; 111 fact, 1 dare not object. I think that system ought to obtain to-day 59. Do you not think we should get better work out of a man if he is pleased to go to a station instead of his having to go against his will?— That may be, provided you have a station vacant, but 1 am speaking of where there is uo station vacant, but where a transfer is desirable in the district. It may happen that a man was unsuitable for a certain station because has hands were tied and tor other reasons : the Inspector, being in the best position to know those reasons, should have the power to change that man with some other man who would be more suitable for that particular station. 60. Is that not frequently done?—lt is only done by sanction of the Commissioner. That sane* ion may be readily granted in some districts, but in other districts the recommendation is given a deaf ear to. 61 In what other districts would you suggest that applies?— The Dunedin district for one. Oi. Any others?—l do not know of any others. 63. The question of transfers is a matter of opinion, and 1 shall not press it further I— With regard to junior constables who have been promoted to the rank of sergeant, I omitted to mention that a constable named Muggeridge, in Wellington, whose service had not extended much beyond ten years, it at all, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. The Commissioner: I see he entered the service on the Ist July, 1899, and he was promoted on the Ist October, 1906. • 64. Mr. Dinnie] He holds, I think, a special position, does he not?—He holds a very nice snug position. He is departmental storekeeper. 65. Well that is a responsible position. He has to deal with all the clothing, he has to collect money, and he is responsible for everything there, is he not?—l think we have other constables acting as Clerks of the Court m towns who also collect money, and who have responsibilities very much greater than those of the sergeant in charge of the stores in Wellington. That man has somany suits of clothes so-many pairs of boots, and so-many blankets to take charge of, and he has a safe place to keep them in If he does not properly account for those things he is easily detected, and where does the responsibility come in any more than that of the constable who is acting as Uerk ot the Court in a country township, where he may have to receive as much as £200 a week, and account for it? ' 68. Do you know anything about this constable's qualifications as regards education and otherwise?—No : but whatever his qualifications are I consider he has no right to be promoted over other men who are equally as good, and whose service is, at any rate, five years longer 1 1 uJ: ' w,la f over hls qualifications may be, it should not affect his promotion ?—lt should when the proper time comes. Not before. You have spoken in disparaging terms of some of the men who have been sent here and placed under v our charge?—l have stationed under me in this district some of the best constables that any Inspector could wish to have under him—men who would lie a credit to any Police Force in the world On the other hand, I have some who, to put it mildly, are not quite so good. b.). What does your annual report say about the conduct of those men for the last three years? —Ihere is one annual report for each year. ' 70. What have you said in your reports for 1906, 1907, and 1908?— Fairly good ye„- 1«J? « Tl? '" d iT IT ""S Hw l *," y ° l "' ° Wn words ' l will take * c report for the year 1906 : The conduct, of the members of the Force has, with a few trifling exceptions been exemplary, and considering that the majority of them are but young in the service, they have, ™ the whole, proved themselves fairly efficient " ?-I did not say there were not exceptions, you see

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