I.—4a,

22

Sergeant Smith.

26th Sept., 1878.

Mr. Balcer.

26th Sept., 1878.

545. AVhat do you know of the matter ?—Farrell informed me of the fire and requested me to go with him to view the premises. I did so ; but it is so long ago that I now almost forget the exact • position of affairs. Farrell drow up a report, and I asked Mr. Atchison if I should also report, but he said, " No ; Farrell's would do." 546. Did Farrell and you consult about the report ?—We did. 547. Did you consider the circumstances suspicious ?—They were suspicious, certainly. 548. Did you see Quin afterwards ? —Tes ; we looked for him. 549. Where did you find him ?—ln the Melbourne Hotel, in bed. 550. Did you examine him ?—Tes. 551. Was there anything you noticed particularly ? —lf I recollect properly, there was a smell of kerosene about his clothes, particularly on his arm. Farrell drew my attention to it, and I certainly observed it. 552. After the report went in were any steps taken against Quin ?—None that I am aware of. 553. AVas no further investigation made ? —-I believe there was some inquiry made about it. 554. By whom ? —By Detective Farrell. He continued to make inquiries under the orders of the Inspector. 555. Inspector Atchison] Do you remember I had a conversation urging Farrell to inquire about the alleged embezzlement of the Foresters' money ?—I do. 556. On several occasions I had conversations with Farrell regarding the alleged embezzlement?— I remember two occasions in your office. 557. Will you state what took place ?—I almost forget. Tou directed Farrell, in the first instance, to make some inquiry as to whether it was true that Quin had anything to do with the societies, and on another occasion you directed him to follow it up. I forget what the precise instructions were. 558. Mr. Barton] Did Farrell follow it up ? —Not that I am aware of. He never reported it to me. 559. Were you the person to whom he should report ? —Properly speaking I should be, but in most cases he informs the Inspector of what goes on. I have nothing to do with his branch of the service. 560. Is it not a fact that the detective's branch is separate, and that he has no right to consider himself under your orders ? —I do not know. 561. Farrell ranks as a sergeant ? —I do not know how he ranks. 562. Has he been treated as a detective officer ought to be treated ? —I am not aware that ho has been improperly treated. 563. He is under your orders ?—To my orders or the Superintendent's. lam in charge of the Wellington Station. 564. Does he have to do work besides that of a detective ?—I suppose he does any small thing he is asked. 565. Will you be good enough to answer my question ? Has he had any work to do besides that of a detective?— Nothing but what he is ordered to do. 566. Have you ordered him to do work which is outside the proper work of a detective ?—No. 567. Did Inspector Atchison ever tell you to do so ? —No. 568. Did you see an article in the New Zealander yesterday ? —Tes. 569. To what does that refer ? —To the service of summonses by Farrell. 570. By whose orders has he had to do that ?—By Mr. Atchison's. 571. How long have you been in the police ? —Fifteen months in Wellington. 572. How long have you been in the police altogether?—l have been in the Armed Constabulary nine years. 573. Was it decent or proper or respectful to the position of a detective officer to put him to serve summonses ? Did you ever know a detective officer before to be put to serve summonses ? —I have had no experience of detective officers. 57-4. Hon. Mr. Fox] Does Farrell wear uniform ?—No. 575. He is not sent out on ordinary duty ?—No. 576. He does not engage in the work of an ordinary constable ?—Certainly not. 577. The Chairman] In the ordinary police service who serves summonses ? Are they as a rule served by sergeants and officers ? —Sometimes. 578. Is that the usual custom ?—No; but I have served summonses. 579. Is it usual for a detective to serve them ?—-I do not know. Farrell has only done it once or twice. 580. What is your rank ?— A first-class sergeant. 581. And Farrell's? —A first-class detective and first-class sergeant. 552. Does he not rank above you ? At a fire would you take your orders from him ?—No. 583. Is there a sergeant's mess at the station ? —No ; there is no accommodation for it. Ebenezf.r Baker, Clerk to the Bench, Wellington Resident Magistrate's Court, sworn, produced the Criminal Record Book. 584. The Chairman] Do you find the case of Richard Jones, charged with drunkenness, in that book ? —Tes. He was, on 13th September, 1875, charged with drunkenness. He was fined ss. There is no other charge against him. 585. Do you remember a conversation between yourself and Mr. Barton about the case of Jones ? —No, not about that case. Mr. Barton once came to mo about some matter, but I forget what it was. 586. Was it about the police ?—No. 587. Did he ask you for the police-book ? —I think not. 588. Do you know what he did ask for ?—He asked for some papers which I did not care to give