I.—4a.

41

William Henri Pascoe.

2nd Oct., 1878.

William Thornborough.

2nd Oct., 1878.

Swan, and then he bought the lease of the City Hotel, situate about half a mile from the White Swan. Mrs. Murphy has a son of the name of Andrews, about seventeen years of age, and, to allow of Murphy going to the City, a license was granted to this young man for the White Swan. 1111. What was Andrews doing at this time? —He was serving an apprenticeship at Mr. E. W. Mills's foundry at the time. 1142. Did the boy conduct the business, or did he still remain [as apprentice at the foundry ?— He still went to work, and Murphy and his wife kept both hotels on by passing from one place to the other. 1143. When the application was made, were the Bench informed of the age of this boy ?—I do not know. 1144. Is it not necessary for the police to certify ? —lt is not necessary that the applicant should appear before the Bench unless some objection is made. 1145. Do not the Magistrates refer to the police to know if the applicant is a suitable person ?— Tes. 1146. Then the license could not have been granted without a certificate from the police ?—No ; and it -would not have been granted if the applicant had appeared before the Bench. 1147. The Chairman.'] Was any question raised as to the age of this young man at the time ? — No, I think not. 1148. How long has he held the license ?—He held it for two years. The house has since been sold, simply because I created a little disturbance, and spoke of the matter publicly. They then got a tenant for it. 1149. Hon. Mr. Jfav.l When did this transaction take place ?—About three years ago. 1150. The Chairman.] I understand that your complaints are that Staples's houses have been exceptionally favoured P—Tes. 1151. Can you allege any reason for such favouritism ?—I cannot. 1152. You consider you are the reverse of favoured ?—Yes. 1153. Can you allege any reason or motive for their being " down " upon you, as the phrase is ?— Well, in a conversation with a brewer here, Mr. Mace —Mace's interests have been affected considerably by the police, but he is out of the business now —I said these matters ought to be exposed. I mentioned the cases, or some of the cases, I have mentioned here to-day, and said they ought to be exposed ; and he agreed with me. I said I would write a letter to the papers about it. Atchison frequently goes up to the City —two or three times a week, say. 1154. How long ago was that ? —About two and a half years ago. 1155. But I understand you were then complaining of this treatment ?—Yes. 1150. Well, can you allege any reason for your treatment before that ? —No. 1157. Mr. Swanson.] You do not know the motive ?—I do not know beyond that my interests have been greatly affected. It is a mystery to me why he should have gone against me. 1158. Mr. Barton.] Will you state what you know about the case of Edwards, late of Kaiwarra ? —The license was opposed by the police, because of the alleged bad conduct of the house. It was said that fast girls used to call at the house. 1159. Hon. Mr. Fox.] The prostitutes, you mean?—Yes. 1160. Mr. Barton.] Did he conduct the house properly or improperly ? —Properly, so far as I saw. I did not go there often, but my partner stayed there for some time. He distiaetly told me there were no cards or gambling over allowed.. He was a steady, sober man. 1160a. Mr. Swanson.] I suppose your partner would not have lived there if it had been a badlyconducted house ?—No. WiUiiAM Thoenbouough, being duly sworn, was examined. 1161. The Chairman.] What .are you?—l am doing nothing at present. Formerly I was messenger in the House for five years. 1162. Mr. Barton.] You were messenger to Sir George Bowen ? —I was in the service of Sir George Bowen for three years : then I was messenger to Sir Dillon Bell, to Sir Julius Vogel, and, for one session, to Sir William Filzherbert. 1163. You have been eight years in the service of these high people altogether ?—Yes. 1164. Did you buy the YiYtoria Hotel ?—Yes ; from Macfarlane. 1165. Who were the landlords of the hotel over Macfarlane?—Mr. Staples was, I understand. 1166. Who was your lawyer in the matter ? —Mr. Henry Fitzherbert. 1167. What was your bargain with Macfarlane ?—£2,500 for the hotel; £500 was to be in cash, and my agent had paid £100, as a deposit, in the National Bank. 1168. Do you recollect an application being made for a transfer to you of the license ?—Yes. 1169. Was any objection made by Mr. Atchison?—-Mr. Atchison said there had been quarrels between myself and my wife, and that I had attempted to cut her throat. 1170. Did you ever attempt to cut her throat ? —No ; it was a joke. There was no malice whatever between us. 1171. Did he make any other objection ? —No. 1172. Did he say you were a drunkard ? —No. 1173. Were you in Court at the time ? —No ; Mr. Fitzherbert was there. 1174. Mr. Swanson.] Did your wife ever make any complaint about you ? —Yes ; she complained to Mr. Atehison. She went and made this complaint when I was away from home : that was, that I had tried to cut her throat. 1175. The Chairman.] How long before Mr. Atchison made this objection in Court was it that your wife had complained ? —Five years. 1176. Was there anything after that ?—No ; there was never any complaint; and I was never brought up to a Court in New Zealand in my life, and I have held some most responsible positions.