II

II

3. As to the general conduct, sobriety, and morality of the members of the said Force, and the alleged failure of the said Police Force to maintain order and enforce the laws of the colony. And you are hereby directed to inquire into the said several matters aforesaid, at such place or places in the colony as you may think fit, by all lawful ways and means, subject to the terms Of these presents : And, for the purpose of such inquiry, you are hereby empowered to summon and have before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, all witnesses or other persons whom you may judge capable of affording you any information upon or in respect of the said several matters of inquiry hereinbefore mentioned, or any matter or thing arising thereout or connected therewith : And also to have before you and examine any books, writings, records, or documents whatsoever which you shall deem necessary for your information m the premisses: Provided that no inquiry shall be held by you into any matter or thing which has already been investigated and determined before any judicial or other lawfully constituted tribunal, or where any member of the Police Force has been dismissed from the service, or whose services. have been dispensed with in consequence of his misconduct or for any other reason : Provided also that if any allegation or statement is made before you which relates to or affects the personal conduct of an individual member or members of the said Police Force, you shall not enter upon any inquiry in respect thereof until the person so affected has had at least twenty-four hours' notice m writing of such allegation or statement, giving such particulars of time, place, and circumstances thereof as you shall deem sufficient; full opportunity being afforded to any such person to cross-examine any witness giving evidence against him, and to call any evidence in reply which he may think fit. And I do also require you, not later than the thirtieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to report to me under your hands and seals your proceedings herein, and your opinion touching the several premisses. And I do further declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that, subject to these presents, you, the said Commissioners, shall and may from time to time proceed in the subject-matters thereof as you shall judge expedient, and that your powers and functions hereunder shall continue in 'full force, notwithstanding that the inquiry hereby directed may not be formally adjourned. And, lastly, it is declared these presents are subject to the provisions of " The Commissioners' Powers Act, 1867," and its amendments. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Eight Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Eanfurly; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George ; Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony ( L -S-) of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal oi the said Colony, at Christchurch, this fourth day of February, m the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight. E. J. SEDDON. Issued in Executive Council. T. H. Hamee, Acting-Clerk of Executive Council.