LXXIII

H.—2.

Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, Mr. T. B. Taylor, M.H.E., and the Eev. P. W. Isitt were in attendance. General efficiency of the Force (Mr. Taylor's complaint) : —Henry James Checketts, fireman and greaser, Wellington, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Production of papers : —Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, attended, and produced papers relating to Thomas J. O'Brien, constable, Napier, and Patrick Quinn, constable, formerly of Hawera, now at Palmerston North, and gave evidence thereon, which was taken down by the reporter. Be evidence of ex-Constable Charles Slight:—Alexander Hattie, constable, Palmerston North, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. General efficiency of the Force (complaint of Mr. T. E. Taylor) : —William Campbell, chief detective, Wellington, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 28th June, 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, Eev. F. W. Isitt, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, attended, and produced papers relating to the following matters: —(1) Papers relating to the correspondence from certain Justices of the Peace at Otorohanga and the Police Department relating to the sale of grog in the King-country ; (2) transfer of Constable Donovan from Coromandel to Tolaga Bay; (3) correspondence between the Eev. F. H. Spencer, Eotorua, and the Police Department relating to the sale of grog to the Natives ; (4) papers relating to Constable Watty's retirement; (5) papers relating to transfer and threatened dismissal of ex-Constable Pascoe from Methven, Canterbury ; (6) Constable Whelan's transfer from Tauranga to Port Awanui; and, being sworn, gave evidence on the several matters, which was taken down by the reporter. General efficiency of the Force : —Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Municipal Colonial Police :—John Bennett Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police, and Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint against ex-Sergeant Hannan : —Ex-Sergeant Daniel Hannan applied to be further heard in reference to the complaint against him, and to be allowed to call more evidence. The Commissioners, after consultation, informed him that he would be allowed to give rebutting evidence on any testimony given after he was examined, but not on any other matter. He was accordingly reminded that he was still on his former oath, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 o'clock the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 o'clock a.m.

Wednesday, 29th June, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present : Messrs. Wardell,, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission was occupied during the whole of the day discussing matters in connection with the preparation of the report. At 5.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Thursday, 30th June, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission was engaged during the whole of the day discussing matters in connection with the preparation of the report. At 5.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10.30 o'clock a.m. to-morrow.

Feiday, Ist July, 1898. The Commission met at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present : Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed.