H.—2.

309. Eleven other men were promoted to be first-class constables in the same batch. Were they all promoted according to their seniority?— Yes. 310. When was a man named William J. Eist made a second-class constable >— On the «th 6 r 3li y 'when was he made a first-class constable ?—On the Ist February, 1897. 312. Were there other second-class constables who had been second-class constables before Eist was promoted in 1897 ?—No ;he was top of the list. 313. Had he been in the Permanent Artillery ?—I do not know. _ 314. As a matter of fact, was not Constable Flewellen entitled to promotion .—Yes. 315 When was he promoted to be a first-class constable ? —Last September. 316.' As a matter of fact, was not Flewellen senior to Eist ?—No ; Eist was reduced. §17. Why did he have preference over a man who had a clean record? —Because he goes to the top of the next list, unless he is reduced so many steps down that particular list. If it is thought that to reduce a man from first to second is not sufficient punishment, he is reduced, say, ten steps down the list; but it would be a terrible punishment to put a man at the bottom of the next list. 318 Do you not think that the rank-and-file of the Force should know why Eist is promoted, when a'number of men know they are his seniors in the class ?—They know they are not his seniors. , . .. . „ , 319. There was Constable Michael Hastings : When washe promoted to be a first-class constable?—ln February, 1897. • ~ IQQO 320. When was he promoted to second class?—On the Ist April, WoA. 321! When was Dennis Brosnahan promoted to second class ?—On the Ist April, 1882. 322! And Eobert McLellan?—On the Ist April, 1882. 323. And Michael Leahy?—On the Ist July, 1882. 324. And John Hazlett ?—On the Ist July, 1883. 325. And Eugene Egan ?—On the Ist July, 1883. 326. And James Gleeson ?—On the Ist July, 1883. 327. And William Folley ?—On the Ist July, 1883. 328. And James Franklin?—On the Ist July, 1883. 329 And when were they made first-class constables ?—On the Ist February, 1897. 330' I think on the 7th March, 1898, it was publicly notified that Sergeant O'Grady was to be removed from Oamaru to Invercargill. Was there any special reason for the order, other than the efficiency of the Force ?—No. I think he had been a long time at Oamaru. 331. It was just to secure the efficiency of the Force?—l think so. 332 Was he removed ?—No; he is still at Oamaru. 333 Can you tell me why he was not removed ?—The Minister told me not to remove him. 334' Can you tell the Commission what Minister gave that order?— Hon. Mr. Thompson. 335. Did he tell you whether any members of the House had interfered on that man's behalf? —No. 336. He did not mention any names ?—No. 337. Did you not have a communication from any member of the House, or from any one else > —No ;I do not think so. 338. The Minister interfered with the transfer ?—The Minister told me not to carry it out, per--339. I suppose that kind of interference happened on more than one occasion?—Oh, yes. It is perfectly impossible for any Minister to resist the pressure brought to bear in regard to these transfers That is why I say it should be left entirely to the Commissioner of Police. I may state that Justices of the Peace, members, and everybody else, put every opposition in the way of tDS 34O 'Do you not think that the result of that is that the men, recognising the Commissioner has practically no power, there is a loss of discipline and character in the Force ?—Undoubtedly. If there is any disorganization in the Force, that is where it comes in, and only there. 341. You think that one is justified in supposing that sort of thing must produce disorganization? —Certainly. 342. About the same time Sergeant Macdonell was ordered for transfer from Invercargill to Oamaru?—Yes ; that was consequent on the other order. 343. Was there any special consultation about this particular man ?—No ; the very fact of the Minister telling me to stop O'Grady naturally meant the stoppage of the man at the other end. 344. It was O'Grady who was stopped?—-So far as I remember. 345. You were not told by the Minister to interfere in connection with the transfers of both 346. Do you remember about, some time ago, Constable Weathered, police gaoler at Timaru, being ordered to Methven ?—Yes. 347. Do you remember the date?—l cannot give the date. 348. Was that order cancelled also?— Yes. ,■'■„, 349 Do you know why?— Yes ; because the Minister said it was an " Irishman s rise, and also because the constable could not manage horses. It was a mounted man's station. He would have lost about £4 per year, because he was a police gaoler, and he got a different class of pay. 350. Constable Drury, of Ashburton, some time ago was ordered to Timaru ?—Yes, but because Weathered was not removed he could not be removed. 351 Which constable interfered ?—Weathered. 352 Has Constable Drury since been transferred ?—Yes. The reason I wanted him to go to Timaru as gaoler was because "he was not qualified, according to his Inspector, for the charge of a station- and he was an old second-class constable, and I thought it rather hard lines that he should

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