LXIII

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BLENHEIM. Satubday, 14th May, 1898, The Commission opened its proceedings for public business at the Borough Council Chambers, Blenheim, on Saturday, the 14th May, 1898, at 11 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. Complaint of Constable Jeffries :—Mr. McNab appeared for Constable Jeffries. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz. : John Jeffries, constable, the Port, Nelson; and James Butler Stoney, registrar of electors, District of Wairau. Complaint of Edward Purser re failure of the Police in connection with the Satherley case :— As the complaint was lodged without the twenty-four hours' notice being given, Colonel Hume and Sergeant Kiely were informed they were entitled to the twenty-four hours' notice, but which they waived. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz. : Edward Purser, Mayor of Blenheim; and Nicholas Kiely, sergeant of police, Blenheim. Suggestions : —Nicholas Kiely, sergeant of police, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Inspection of police quarters : —At 2 o'clock p.m. the Commission inspected the police quarters. The men were drawn up on parade, and addressed by the Chairman. The official books were then examined. At 6 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. on Monday next.

Monday, 16th May, 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 and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. Suggestions : —William John Pardy, constable, Blenheim, attended, was sworn, and , gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. General Efficiency of the Force : —Thomas Henry Prior, mounted constable, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of Constable Jeffries:—Clarence Herbert Snow, of Blenheim, hawker, formerly boardinghouse-keeper, and John Porter, labourer, Blenheim, attended, and each being sworn gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Be Satherley Case—Mr. Purser's Complaints:—The following witnesses attended, and each being sworn gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz.: William Gamble, expressman ; Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police ; and Edward Purser (recalled) Suggestions : —John Jeffries, constable, The Port, Nelson, attended, was sworn, and, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of Constable Jeffries: —The following witnesses were sworn and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz.: John Jeffries, constable; Charles Houghton Mills, M.H.E.; Colonel Arthur Hume. At Mr. McNab's request his cross-examination of Colonel Hume was postponed till the Commission sat at Wellington this week. There being no further evidence forthcoming, the proceedings of the Commission at Blenheim were closed, and the Commission adjourned until Wednesday next, at 10 o'clock a.m., at Wellington.

WELLINGTON. Wednesday, 18th May, 1898. The Commission resumed its sittings at the Parliament Buildings, Wellington, on Wednesday, the 18th May, 1898, at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. Suggestions:—John Bennett Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police, Wellington, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. The Commission then adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 o'clock a.m.

Thursday, 19th May, 1898. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance.