Jan. 12.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 27

watchhouse-keeper, or civilian, and the apprehending constable. Female prisoners must be searched by the female searcher, or, in her absence, by some female engaged for the purpose.

179. Prisoners not searched immediately after arrest should be kept under close observation when being escorted to a watchhouse, to see that they do not part with stolen property, and thus cause a failure of justice by preventing its production in evidence.

180. A person against whom a charge of assault, attended by cutting and wounding, or of felony, has been received, should, when such charge has been entered in the “Charge-book,” be detained in custody at the watchhouse until taken before a Magistrate for examination; and no person should be detained in the custody of the police after he has been once brought before a Magistrate to answer any such charge preferred against him without a warrant for his detention. When a remand is required for any period exceeding three days a warrant is necessary, if not exceeding three days a verbal order of a Magistrate is sufficient. (Vide section 135, “Justices of the Peace Act, 1882.”)

181. If a complainant, after having given a person into custody on a criminal charge, refuse to sign the entry in the “Charge-book” and appear against such person, and the charge has been made in the first instance to a constable, the constable will, if he has seen the offence committed, enter and sign the charge himself, and the complainant must be summoned to establish it. The constable on duty will, for this purpose, always ascertain the name and address of the complainant before making any inquiry of him. If the constable be himself unable to establish the charge, and the complainant refuse to appear in support of such charge, the party accused will not be detained save in case of a serious offence, or where there are grounds to suppose the prisoner guilty, notwithstanding the prosecutor’s refusal to so appear.

182. A description of property brought to a constable on duty at a watchhouse, whether taken from persons apprehended or otherwise, should immediately be entered in the “Charge-book,” and the several articles marked so that they may be afterwards identified. Such property should be taken by such constable himself from the party bringing it, and not allowed out of his sight until marked in the manner directed; it should then be locked up, or, if required as evidence, given back to the charge of the constable bringing it.

183. As a statement or confession from a prisoner in custody on a charge of a crime, to be admissible as evidence against himself, must be free and voluntary—that is, not induced by any untrue representation or any threat or promise—constables should be very careful not to make any such representation, threat, or promise. If the prisoner make any statement or confession the constable should not prevent him doing so, but should pay every attention to it. It is not desirable that a constable should ask questions thereupon without warning him that his answers may be used as evidence on his trial. If any statement or confession be made the constable will endeavour to fix it in his memory and at the time take a note of it, and also of any conversation immediately preceding it, so as to be able to give evidence at the trial of the prisoner of any such conversation, statement, or confession.

184. A constable on duty at a watchhouse will on no account quit it during his time of duty.

185. Such constable will receive charges against prisoners, will ascertain their nature, and, when satisfied of their propriety, will cause the name of each prisoner to be entered, with the particulars of his offence, in a book kept for the purpose, to be called the “Charge-book.”

186. When persons are arrested who are believed to be intoxicated, care should be taken to ascertain that they are not suffering from illness; if there be any doubt, such persons should be gently shaken or roused; if that fail, the fastenings about the neck should be loosened and the head raised, and, if deemed advisable, no time should be lost in obtaining medical aid. A person arrested in a state of helpless drunkenness should be visited while in the lock-up at intervals of not more than three hours, and proper remedies applied to prevent death from cold or exhaustion. Care should be taken that where possible all expenses incident to such cases, including the cost of his maintenance in any hospital, infirmary, or other place to which he may have been sent for curative treatment, shall be paid by such person. (See section 21, “Police Offences Act, 1884.”) Under no circumstances is a constable justified in leaving his beat to conduct a drunken person to his home.

187. The daily ration for prisoners in watchhouses consists of 24oz. of bread; and to prisoners in transitu, awaiting trial, or under committal—

Male. Female.
Oatenmeal ... ... 8oz. ... 6oz.
Bread ... ... 16 „ ... 12 „
Meat ... ... 6 „ ... 6 „
Potatoes ... ... 8 „ ... 8 „
Sugar ... ... 1 „ ... 1 „
Soap ... ... ½ „ ... ½ „
Salt ... ... ½ „ ... ½ „

Officers in charge of districts will make the most economical arrangements possible for supplying prisoners according to the above scales, and, where they consider it advantageous, will call for tenders and transmit them to the Commissioner’s office to be dealt with. Where no contract exists, the cost of rations supplied to prisoners confined in the several watchhouses is not to exceed one shilling and sixpence per day.

188. When it is necessary for prisoners in confinement to have other supplies than are provided by Government the sanction of a Magistrate, officer, or medical man must be obtained in writing, and the order must accompany the account.

189. Care should be taken, in incarcerating prisoners, to classify them, as far as the cell accommodation will admit, the young being kept apart; and persons of a respectable class, charged with minor offences, are not to be confined with old criminals or prisoners in an offensive condition. Prisoners will be frequently visited in the cells during the day and night, and prompt attention given to any cases requiring medical aid.

190. In case of persons of known respectability being arrested for some trifling offence, they need not be searched, but should be requested to produce such property as they may have on their persons, and should, when possible, be placed in a cell by themselves, and provided with clean bed-clothes.

191. When an accused person is committed for trial, the sergeant or constable in charge of the case will furnish a report of the antecedents of such person to the officer in charge of his district, together with a list of the property, if any, to be produced, the name of the constable having possession thereof, and the names and addresses of the witnesses.

DUTIES AT COURTS.

192. Members of the force having to attend Courts must observe strict punctuality. The officer in charge should inspect all men on such duty before they quit their stations, to see that they are smart and clean in appearance, and in proper uniform; also to see that they are prepared with any property required to be produced in Court in any case in which they may be concerned.

193. At the Court members of the force having charge of cases must make it their business to see that the witnesses are in attendance, and that they do not leave without permission from the proper officer. Should any witness be absent the Crown Solicitor or Crown Prosecutor should be promptly informed.

194. Police when giving evidence must stand in an upright position, respectful in demeanour, speaking ex-