603687-1940-Supplementary-Draft-Bills---Interpretation-Amendment-Fire-Investigation-Amendment-Prevention-of-Eviction-Amendment — Page 3

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Amendment

No. 8 of

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3. Section 4 of the Fire Investigation Ordinance, 1895, of Ordinance is amended by the insertion of the words or the police 1895, s. 4. officer in charge of the district or such police officer as shall

be deputed by the Superintendent in charge of the Division" after the words rank of inspector ”.

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Objects and Reasons.

1. Section 2 of the Fire Investigation Ordinance, 1895, requires, inter alia, the Commissioner of Police to make or cause to be made a full and minute inspection and a detailed report of premises where a fire has taken place or where attempted arson is suspected and it requires that he shall do this "either personally or by some officer of police of grade not lower than inspector".

2. The growth of the Colony and of the Police Force since 1895 as well as the establishment of police stations in outlying districts has rendered it necessary and convenient for the inspections and reports to be made by the police officer in charge of the districts concerned, some of whom have not reached the rank of inspector, or by some other officer deputed for the purpose by the Superintendent in charge of the Division.

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3. Clause 2 of the Bill substitutes accordingly the words by the police officer in charge of the district or by such police officer as shall be deputed by the Superintendent in charge of the Division".

4. Similarly section 4 of the Ordinance which deals with subsequent magisterial investigations as to the causes of fires gives certain rights of audience to any police officer not below the rank of inspector".

5. In some cases it is more convenient and desirable to give the exercise of these rights of audience to the officer who had personally inspected the premises and made the report.

6. Clause 3 of the Bill adds accordingly the words "or the police officer in charge of the district or such police officer as shall be deputed by the Superintendent in charge of the Division after the words rank of inspector”.

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C. G. ALABASTER,

Attorney General.

March, 1940.