39

H.—2

416. Can you tell the Commissioners the circumstances of his being retired?— Yes. Cullinane, who was then stationed at Martinborough, reports on the 17th April, 1890 : " I respectfully beg to state that, on the 31st March, I proceeded to Te Awaite inquiring for Thomas Lamb, required as a witness inHawke's Bay, and Edward Beach, charged on warrant with wife desertion. The back country lying towards the Bast Coast in the Martinborough police district is extremely rough, and in places very hilly, and the roads at all times of the year rugged and rough. When proceeding on the date above mentioned to Te Awaite I experienced a great shaking when riding on a narrow and steep track over a gully crossing the Stoney Creek between Waipawa and Te Awaite. My troophorse cleverly avoided falling with me, but while struggling to recover himself I was thrown forward on to the saddle, and one of my testicles was very much bruised. On my return to the station the following day I suffered great pain and was otherwise in bad health. Since my return, Ist instant, I have been employed on mounted duty, and on each occasion have suffered exceedingly, so much so that I was compelled to request permission to proceed to Masterton on the 16th instant, and then consulted a medical man as to my state of health; and the result of the examination l'now respectfully lay before the department. The attached is Doctor Hoskings's certificate. In laying this matter (a very serious circumstance to me) before the authorities I must acknowledge the very kind consideration I have always received at the hands of my superiors, but having suffered so much lately, and having done my best to avoid reporting the matter, I feel I must now in consequence of my ill-health ask the kind consideration of the Commissioner with the view of obtaining sick-leave, as I am unable to discharge the duties of my district.—John Cullinane, Constable." The doctor's certificate reads : " I certify that Constable John Cullinane has been examined by me this day, and that I find him suffering from fever (nature of which, from short acquaintance with the case, I am unable positively to define, but, judging from previous symptoms, might be mild typhoid), and that from further examination I find him suffering from injury of testicle (varicocele), and have strongly advised him to abstain from horse exercise under all circumstances, but that by use of a proper suspensory bandage he would be perfectly fit for foot duty.—William H. Hosking M.8.C.5., England.—Masterton, 16/4/90." ' Well, on that he got fourteen days' leave, and I suppose he came to Wellington, because there is a certificate then from Dr. Fell, for Dr! Collins, as follows : " I have examined Constable John Cullinane this day and find him suffering from a large varicocele, or enlargement of the veins of the testicle. This'condition causes him pain, and unfits him for any severe strain or long hours of duty.—W. Fell, M.B.—lst May, 1890." Then, on the Ist May, 1890, the constable reports he is unfit to carry out police duties at all, and asks for compensation on retirement. This is minuted, " I would suggest that he be allowed to retire on compensation.—W. E. Gudgeon, 2/5/90," and " Approved.—W.E.E., 2/5/90." 417. Colonel Pitt. 1 What was the amount of compensation ?—£l39 19s. 418. Mr. Taylor.] He has been reinstated ?—Yes. He applied for reinstatement on the 12th June, 1891. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Mr. Seddon, says, in regard to Cullinane, on the 28th September, 1891, " Take on when vacancy occurs as third-class constable." 419. Have you any record there of who recommended him for reappointment ?—He wrote himself. I minuted that application, on the 18th June, 1891, " Place name on the list of applicants." I wrote and told him that his name had been placed on the list, but that, as there were so few vacancies and such a large number of names registered of men now serving in the Permanent Artillery, that I could not hold out much hope of his request being granted. 420. Then, immediately following that, he must have made some other application ?—The next letter on his file is a letter to A. W. Hogg, Esq., M.H.E., from the Minister, as follows: "15th September, 1891.—Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist and 9th instant, recommending ex-constable John Cullinane to be again employed in the Police Force, and to inform you, in reply, that this man's name has been placed on the list of applicants, but, as there are very few vacancies, and many of the Permanent Militia now waiting have very strong claims for transfer to the police, I do not think there is much chance of this man being appointed." On the 28th September I got orders to take him on when a vacancy occurred. 421. From the Minister who signed the letter on the 15th September, saying that there was no vacancy or likely to be a chance of a vacancy ?—Yes. 422. Which meant he was to be appointed out of his turn?—l did not say so. 423. Does it not mean that ?—lt means when a vacancy occurs. 424. Colonel Pitt.] When was he taken on ?—On the 17th October, 1891. 425. Did he refund his compensation ?—I am quite sure he did not refund. A long time had elapsed between his retirement and reappointment. 426. He made that a condition of his reinstatement, but did not carry it out ?—They all say that. 427. Have there been many cases of men being reported for charging wrong amounts for forage ? Have any officers been punished for that offence ? Do you remember the ease of Sergeant Wilson, of Akaroa, being reported by Constable Whitty for obtaining money under false pretences ? —I do not remember the case; but no doubt the papers are in the office, and we can produce them. There have not been many cases. 428. Do you remember any at all?— Yes, one. 429. In addition to the one I suggest ?—Yes, a case at Baglan, through which Constable John Eyan was brought into the station at Auckland. 430. Can you produce the papers?— Yes. 431. I would like to take the case of Constable Patrick McGill: Do you remember the occasion of McGill being dismissed from the Force ?—This is another case which, in order to understand it thoroughly, I shall have to start from the commencement. 432. When did McGill join the Force?—On the 28th February, 1865. 433. When was he dismissed ?—He was not dismissed at all: apparently he resigned on the 17th November, 1890. ■ 8