I.—4a

36

Sergeant Fraser.

Ist Oct., 1878.

999. Is it not usual for this book to contain a record of remarks as to the prisoner, and is it not signed by the prisoner also ? —No ; not up to this time. 1000. What time ?—The abolition of the provinces. 1001. Are they now asked to sign the charge-sheet ?—They are asked to sign a paper; Ido not remember the name of it. It is a form in which is named all the prisoner's property ; and then, when he is discharged in the morning, he signs it, or is invited to sign it. 1002. The Chairman] How long has that been in vogue ?—About a year. 1003. Since Mr. Shearman took charge ?—No, before; I think it was done at Colonel Moule's request. 1004. Mr. Barton] Was not the watchhouse-book the one in which they used to enter these articles at that time ? —Tes. 1005. And was it not in that book that the accused person, if he was in a condition to do so, used to sign his name for the articles when it was submitted to him ? —I do not think so. 1006. Will you undertake to say there were no such entries ?—There were no columns for the signature ; I know that. 1007. There are columns for the articles found on the prisoner in the book produced from the central office ?—Tes ; but there are no headings. I never saw a proper book till a few years ago. 1008. The book produced here had proper headings. That was the book having reference to 1874 ?—I do not think so. 1009. Is there any book kept by Inspector Atchison in his own handwriting in the office ? —I do not know of any. 1010. Is it a fact that he never makes an entry in his own handwriting, and that he makes no entry in a diary ? —He always gives me verbal directions how to answer memoranda or minutes. I write the letters, and he then signs them. 1011. There is no book in his handwriting ? —I think not, unless it is a small private cash-book. 1012. lam speaking of police books kept in the Inspector's office ?—I do not think so. 1013. Has there ever been any since you have been in the service ?—No. 1014. For the thirteen years you have been in the service Inspector Atchison has kept no book whatever ? —I have kept all the books. 1015. The Chairman] You state he gives you verbal instructions to answer letters ?—Tes. 1016. Does he never draft letters for you ?—No ; I do not remember that he does. He has always given me verbal instructions as to what he wishes said. 1017. Tou have no draft-book to go upon ?—No. 1018. Mr. Barton] Do you know the Pier Hotel ?—I do. 1019. Have you ever gone there to get orders from Mr. Atchison?—l have often gone in there and asked him things. 1020. He goes there frequently, then ? —No ; I have not gone very often. I have gone at times. 1021. AVhen he is not in office, is that usually the place you go to find him ? —No ; I go to Ames's, because that is the place where he takes his lunch. 1022. Have you ever gone into the Pier Hotel at night, to get orders from him ? —Ves. 1023. AVhat have you found him doing ? —I found him sometimes drinking. 1024. AVho else? —I do not remember anybody else. 1025. Playing cards ? —I do not think so. 1026. On your oath ? —I do not think so. 1027. Not with Mr. Marchant, the City Engineer, and others ? —I do not think so. 1028. Hon. Mr. Fox] Playing billiards ?—No. 1029. Mr. Barton] AVere you present at a quarrel there between Mr. Atchison and Mr. Marchant ?—No. 1030. Did you ever hear a quarrel had taken place ?—No. 1031. Not that Mr. Marchant's eyes were blacked ?—No. 1032. Hon. Mr. Fox] Tou mentioned that Mr. Atchison is in the habit of going to Ames's Hotel for his luncheon ? —Tes. 1033. Is he connected with the proprietor of that house ? —I think he is related by marriage, but how I do not quite recollect. 1034. Does he spend much of his time with his relations at this house ? —No. 1035. Does he stay there long when he goes? —He goes there about 1 o'clock, and comes back about a quarter to 2 o'clock. 1036. Mr. Barton] Who is the watchhouse keeper of Central Station ? —John Doran. He is on duty from 9 o'clock at night, and stays there till 5 o'clock next morning. 1037. Is the book kept by him ? —He cannot write very well. 1038. Can he write at all ?—Tes. I think he signs his name as a witness. 1039. Does he make any other entries ? —I think not. 1040. The entries are made by whatever constable happens to come in? —They are made by the arresting constables generally, and the watchhouse keeper signs it. 1041. The Chairman] How long has he been there ? —Six years. He has been here eighteen or nineteen years altogether. 1042. AVhy was he appointed ? —He is not a strong man. 1043. Is it a custom to appoint men who cannot write?—l have had no experience elsewhere. 1044. Can he read ? —He can. 1045. Mr. Barton] Is he also the poundkeeper ?—Tes. 1046. Is he the sole person who gets the profits ?—No ; I get some of it. 1047. Does Mr. Atchison get any part of it ? —Not so far as I know. 1048. The Chairman] He acts as poundkeeper during the day ?—Tes. 1049. And he is up at night ? —Tes ; he has held that post for some time past. 1050. Tet you say he is in weak health ?—Tes ; he has been for a long time.