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204. Did you search Chemis for blood-spots about his clothes ?—Yes, 205. You did not find any ?—No. 206. Do you remember if, when arrested, he had the same clothes on that he had on that day ? —I could not say ; I think he had. 207. Mr. Lake.] There are three separate lots of paper —one found on the road going to the scene of the murder; one placed in the handkerchief at Chemis's house; one the roll which you took from the children's room, which you carried home and gave to Benjamin at the station; there were no other lots; the pieces of paper you took from the road ?—I kept possession of them until I handed them to Mr. Skey, and from him to Mr. Tasker by instructions from the Inspector. 208. You feel sure there is no possibility of a mistake about these papers?— Yes. 209. The Chairman.] Did you examine the clothes of the murdered man with reference to the stabs made through them ?—No, Sir. 210. But you were employed in following up the case ? —I was assisting. 211. Did you, after getting the stiletto, make any comparison between the coat and the other clothing of the deceased ?—No, I did not; it was not prudent to interfere until after the report was made by the analyst. 212. Did you examine the two holes as to how they were made ?—No, I could not give you any information on that. 213. Did it never strike you that Mrs. Hawkings, and at least two other persons, being anxious to make suggestions to fix the guilt on Chemis, that that circumstance was sufficient to afford some ground of suspicion?— There were other persons altogether outside of them. 214. You say there were other persons outside them who made similar suggestions?—l do not know that it is right I should mention their names. 215. Mr. Jdlicoe.] Are you responsible for the disgraceful manner in which these clothes have been kept; they are all moth-eaten?— They have not been in my custody. I have not had possession of them. 216. Who has had possession of them ?—I could not say. 3,17.--Mr. Lake.] There were footprints, but you did not examine them?— There were a good many footprints. 218. But one of the persons called attention to footprints? —A remark was made about footprints. 219. But these footprints were not what induced you to go to Chemis's house ? —No. 220. Mr. Earnshaw.] Did you examine the prints at all that would be made by Chemis's boots ?—No. 221. The footprints you considered would be no guide at all to you?— No. J. B. Thomson, Inspector of Constabulary, sworn and examined. Mr. Thomson . Ido not know what is the object of sending for me to give evidence. If it be to go through the evidence which I have already given in this case, it appears to me monstrously unreasonable and unjust to suppose that after three years I should remember every minute circumstance ; and then, if there were the slightest discrepancy, I should be confronted with the evidence I gave three years ago. I cannot pretend for a moment to remember all the small details. The Chairman : It had been suggested in the course of this inquiry that the police themselves would like to give their statement in connection with the subject-matter inquired into. That was the reason why your attendance was asked in the first instance; and second, that there should, if possible, be no difference or discrepancy in the evidence which might not be cleared up. Mr. Thomson : Since this inquiry started I have endeavoured to remember, amongst other incidents, who were with me when I took the papers off the gorse bushes, and I cannot for the life of me remember. lam willing to give such information as I can to the Committee. But I must draw the attention of the Committee to what, as I have already said, I consider is to a certain extent unfair and unjust. I may mention that "at tha trial I was subjected to a long cross-examina-tion without my evidence being shaken. Mr. Gully : I understood it was intended that the evidence to be given before the Committee was to be on fresh matter, and not as to the recollection which the witnesses might have of what facts had been already proved at the trial. Mr. JeUicoe : I suppose Mr. Thomson will give us what information he can. Mr. Thomson : I object to any cross-examination by Mr. Jellicoe ; he has already connected my name with a charge of perjury which he knew to be false. The Chairman : I may state that we are here to inquire into the circumstances of Chemis's case. Mr. Thomson : I object to be cross-examined by Mr. Jellicoe, first because he has no right to do so ; his certificate only entitles him to practise in a Court of law. This Committee is not a Court of law, neither can this Committee give him authority to cross-examine witnesses here against their will. Mr. Jellicoe : That is for the Committee to say. I am here in support of this petition. The question is, whether I am entitled to cross-examine a witness. I maintain my right; and if I should maintain my right I shall cross-examine Inspector Thomson, and that fully. 222. The Chairman.] The principal point on which we wish for evidence, Mr. Thomson, is relative to some papers that were found in Chemis's house. Do you recollect certain papers being handed to you by Detective Benjamin ?—Yes. 223. Did you at that time in the house mark these exhibits ? —No; the papers themselves were never marked at any time from the time they were in my possession to the time of their being handed over to Mr. Tasker. 224. Did you take them out and examine them ?—No; I took every care of them. No one else had anything to do with them until after I handed them to Mr. Tasker.