H.—2

XLVIII

Wednesday, 9th Makch, 1898. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. B. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Mr. Taylor's charge, police failing to enforce the laws of the colony :—Mr. Taylor called the following witnesses—viz., Arthur Wakefield Nicol, plumber, Wellington; Joseph Beaglehole, carpenter, Wellington ; James Robert Crawford, blacksmith, Wellington; Irene Diana Jones, spinster, Wellington; William Hurrell, carriage-maker, Wellington; Percy Denton, watchmaker, Wellington ; Feaiherston Herron, labourer, Wellington ; Albert Tonks, saddler, Wellington; Augustus Thompson, carpenter, Wellington; George Petherick, bootmaker, Wellington. Each of the witnesses was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. On the conclusion of the evidence the Commissioners dealt with a number of letters and other correspondence. At 4.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m.

Thuesday, 10th Mabch, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present : Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.8., were in attendance. Complaint of Elorence O'Leary :—Charles Herbert Treadwell, Wellington, solicitor, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Application of Constables Johnston and Murphy :—Constable John Jackson Johnston attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Constable Michael Murphy attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Suggestions :—The Rev. John Crewes, ex-minister of religion, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Taylor called Detective William Campbell, Wellington, and Plain-clothes Constable Charles R. Broberg. The witnesses were sworn, and each made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 15 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Pkiday, 11th Maboh, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Tunbridge, Colonel Hume, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., were in attendance. Complaint: Mr. J. J. Gregson, of Wellington, settler, attended, and made a statement. The Chairman informed Mr. Gregson he could bring the matter again before the Commission on some future date. Colonel Hume, called by Mr. Taylor, being reminded he was still on his oath, gave further evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Frank Geoffrey Burton Waldegrave, Under-Secretary, Justice Department, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. A number of letters and other correspondence was perused and answered. The Commission at 5.30 p.m. adjourned until to-morrow-at 11 o'clock a.m.

Satubday, 12th Maboh, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., were in attendance. Colonel Hume, being reminded he was on his former oath, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 1 p.m. the Commission adjourned.

DUNEDIN. "Wednesday, 16th Maegh, 1898. The Commission met at the Supreme Court Buildings, Dunedin, at 10.30 a.m., and arranged formal business. At 3.30 o'clock p.m. the Commission met at the Central Police-station. The Force was drawn up on parade, and, after being inspected, the men were addressed by the members of the Commission and by Mr. Tunbridge, and were invited, if they had any complaints to make or suggestions to offer, to place same before the Commission, when they would receive full consideration. The men's quarters were then inspected, and the official books in use examined. The Commission then adjourned till to-morrow at 10.30 a.m., at the City Council Chambers.