dismissal and banishment or
829
he had prend money say
to me and retain his position in the Police Force, with a promise of promotion that was
early fulfilled.
The law by which the Captain Superintendent considered himself empowered to deal with the case in the manner I have stated, is embodied in section 24
of Ordinance 14 of 1887, which reads as follows :-
"The Governor shall have power upon the
representation of the Captain Superintendent to dismiss subordinate officer or constable for misconduct or neglect of duty, or to approve of the
reduction of any sergeant or constable to a lower grade or class in the Force:
Notwithstanding the fact that the Captain Superintendent was the prosecutor he availed himself of this law to act as judge also, and to take evidence in private, on which he made the
necessary recommendation
The course adopted was unusual, for until then all charges as bribery and gross neglect of duty were sent before a magistrate.
Knowing that, and that I was not called upon to make a defence I in expectation of being dealt with by a Magistrate in the ordinary way did not seek to make a Statement. That my silence was not the cause of my
dismissal is shown by the fact that the other officers suspended from duty with me, likewise dismissed, although they had each submitted a written defence, as was also Sergeant McIver, then in this country. Subsequently, however, on their petitioning the Secretary of State for the Colonies, their dismissals were over a year later, rescinded, and their pensions granted.
Besides those already referred to numerous other persons in the police and other Government departments were
#4