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Cruiokshank (who is entitled to a certificate of honour), H. P. Rasmussen, and E. P. Bird be promoted, and that you will put a good mark against the name of Daniel O'Rourke. I have, &c, H. A. Sthatfobd, Examiner. It was pretty well that report which decided me. I could not think of any competent man to examine, and I thought it better to do away with the examinations. I did away with them on my own responsibility. I was asked yesterday whether or not I made appointments on my own responsibility. Ido not think I did, so far as I can see on the papers. So far as I can ascertain by the papers I was told to take men on from the Permanent Artillery, and they were taken. Of course, I did not go and ask the Minister each time if So-and-so was to be taken into the Force. I would show him a list, and he said, " All right; take them on as the vacancies occur." I find one man Wilson —was taken on, and I cannot tell whether I asked the Minister or not. There is nothing on the papers to show that I asked the Minister. He was an Otago-bred boy, who went Home and served six years in the Lifeguards, and I wanted a mounted man at the time. 256. Mr. Taylor.] That case will be the only exception ? —So far as I know at present. 257. The Chairman.] You were told to take men from a list of Permanent Artillerymen supplied to you ? —Yes. 258. By whom was the list supplied ? —By the Defence Office, as the men applied for the police. 259. They were taken in the order of their application ?—Yes, I think I can say that; and provided they were qualified. 260. There was no selection in that case ?—Excepting that sometimes a man did not finish his gun-drill, and then I had to take a man below him who had finished his drill. 261. Mr. Taylor.] Wilson was appointed during Captain Eussell's term of office ?—-Yes. 262. And after Mr. Seddon came in you made no appointments at all ?—No. 263. In making appointments from the Permanent Artillery I suppose the fact of belonging to the Artillery was the only qualification necessary. You did not inquire into the men's character or records before they were appointed to the police?—Of course I did; and the men were recommended by the commanders of batteries. 264. I mean, as to the men's moral conduct ?—I was given their defaulter's sheets. 265. The Chairman.] Would a testimony of good character coming from their immediate officer in the Artillery satisfy you? —Yes, as a rule. Of course, their defaulters' sheets came with them. 266. Mr. Taylor.] Inspector Pender made a statement to the effect, I think, that it was the exception for Permanent Artillery-men to make good constables ?—I did not understand him to say that. 267. It was the exception, I think he said?—He said they did not make as good constables as 268. Do you confirm Inspector Pender on that point, Colonel Hume ?—I should not like to give an opinion one way or the other, because I have not the means to judge. The District Inspector has the means of judging; the Commissioner of Police has not. 269. Coming back to Constable Nixon : had he done ordinary police duty before being appointed to plain-clothes duty. Was he ever in uniform ?—I cannot tell you that straight off. 270. Are men who are taken into the Force given any instruction at all as to their legal powers and special duties as constables before being turned loose on the streets ?—They are instructed by their non-commissioned officers and Inspectors. 271. How long would a man remain in the barracks before commencing street duty ? —He would commence immediately. 272. So that a man coming off a farm would go straight into the street to do duty? —Yes, but with another man, as Inspector Pender told you. 273. They do not walk together? —Yes. 274. Some time ago an order was issued that classes of instruction were to be held by the Inspector? —That is right. lam going to produce that circular. 275. How do you reconcile that order with the fact that you abolished the examination classes instituted by Major Gudgeon ?—That is right. 276. What was the date of the circular ordering that classes should be held ?—lt was in regard to lecturing the men, and it was the system Mr. Pender said he found in vogue at Home. It was issued about two years ago. 277. What is the nature of the instruction given to the men by the Inspectors ?—On the Acts and regulations, and their duties generally. 278. Is any regular course of instruction prescribed for the Inspectors ?—They are allowed to use their own discretion. 279. Do you know whether the order has been obeyed in all the large centres since it has been issued: as a matter of fact, are you aware that in some centres it has not been carried out? —I am not. 280. It has not been reported to you ? —lt has not. 281. And you think the classes have been held since you relinquished control?— The Inspectors all told me so. 282. As a general principle, do not you think that men who have to discharge sucn delicate duties as policemen should receive a special course of instruction before being put on duty ? —lt would be better if you could do it. 283. Are not special classes held in connection with the Eoyal Irish Constabulary, where the men are instructed in all matters of importance?— You cannot compare the Eoyal Irish Constabulary with the Force here. In the former case they go to a depot, where they are thoroughly instructed before they are allowed out.