LVI

S.—2.

CHRISTCHUBCH. Monday, 18th April, 1898. The Commission opened its proceedings for public business at the Council Chambers, Christchurch, on Monday, 18th April, 1898, at 10 o'clock. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Thomas Broham, Inspector of Police, Christchurch, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. _ At 215 p m the Commission visited the Central Police-station. The men were drawn up on parade and inspected, and were then addressed by the Chairman, and invited to lay any complaints or suggestions before the Commission. The quarters of the men were afterwards inspected, and the official books at the office examined. _ . . Subsequently the following suburban stations were visited: Papanui Station, bt. Albans, Bingsland, Sydenham, and Addington, and the official books examined at each place. °At 6 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 o'clock a.m.

Tuesday, 19th Apiiil, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present : Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting lead and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R, were in attendance. Complaint:—Alfred Stanton, district clerk, Christeburch, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of Mr T E Taylor, re. Constables Barrett and McKenzie :—Mr. Philip Kippenberger, solicitor Christchurch, appeared for Constables Barrett and McKenzie. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, winch was taken down by the reporter ilhomas Broham Inspector of Police, Christchurch ; Thomas Edward Taylor, M.H.E., Christchurch ; Frederick Eobson, bootmaker, Sydenham; Alfred Thomas Hoddmott, machinist, Christchurch; Thomas Broham (recalled); Garrett Fitzgerald, detective, Christcliurclx; Frank Thompson house and land agent, Christchurch; Thomas Barrett, police-constable, Christchurch; Donald McKenzie, police - constable, Christchurch; Claude Alfred Manning, assistant barman, Opawa; George Beauchamp, manager, Cafe Hotel, Christchurch; Henry Paget, night-watchman Christchurch; Major Cunningham, life insurance agent; William Robinson, boot- and shoe-maker, Christchurch. Complaint :—B. Maitland Kelso, mounted constable, Christchurch, attended, and, being sworn, save evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. 1A , , At 5 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 o clock a.m.

Wednesday, 20th April, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., were m attendance. Complaints of Mr T. E. Taylor, M.H.E. :■— General charge, and failure of the police to enforce the laws of the colony. Mr J. A. Cassidy attended to represent Mr. Kippenberger, who was to appear for certain constables, but was unable to attend to-day. The following witnesses attended and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter viz. : John Joyce MHR • George Bowron, leather merchant; William Wilcox Tanner, M.H.R. ; George Thomas Smith MHR ; Francis Whitmore Isitt, Wesleyan minister of religion ; Thomas Broham, Inspector of Police; John Cullen, Inspector of Police, Westland, and lately in temporary charge at Christchurch During the evidence of Mr. Tanner the question was raised as to whether evidence given by a witness before the Commission was privileged. Mr. Tanner was relieved from giving further evidence until the Commissioners had time to confer and consider the question. Later in the sitting the Chairman announced that the Commissioners had arrived at the opinion that witnesses attending before the Commission and giving evidence were privileged, as they would be in a Court of justice ; but he desired to say that they did not in any way express an opinion as to the liability of the newspapers in publishing what the witness had said. The witnesses are privileged when the newspapers may not be. General organization of the Police Force :—William Jam's Harker, independent gentleman, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow.

Thursday, 21st Apkil, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock 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.E., Were in attendance.