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Colonel Hume : I find, in reference to constables being stationed a long time in one place, that first-class Constable Knapp has been at Spring Grove since the Ist July, 1877—1 think that is the longest. 494. Mr. Taylor.] Have you ever recommended his transfer ?—Yes. 495. And the Minister would not approve of it ? —No. Colonel Hume : I find, also, in reference to Constable Mullaney, that he was promoted because he was a Clerk of Court. 496. Mr. Taylor.] That means he would probably be promoted over the heads of men of equal rank, but who had not been Clerks of Court ?—Yes.

Fkiday, 18th Februaby, 1898, Examination of Colonel Hume on oath continued. Colonel Hume: I produce, first of all, the papers relating to the reappointment as sergeantmajor of the late Mr. Moore, who was previously Inspector. I find from the papers, Sir, on the recommendation of the Petitions Committee of Parliament, the Minister appointed Mr. Moore to be sergeant-major on the distinct understanding that the compensation was to be refunded. 497. Colonel Pitt.] Do I understand you to say this was as the result of the report of the Select Committee of the House ?—Those are the papers, Sir. 498. The Chairman.] Have you got the report of the Committee?—No ;it is not on these papers. 499. You say he was reinstated?—He was not reinstated. He was appointed sergeant-major. 500. Colonel Pitt.] Was that, do I understand, on the report of the Petitions Committee ?— He had petitioned the House, and they had recommended him for favourable consideration. 501. At any rate, it was after the report by the Committee ?—Yes. 502. Mr. Taylor.] One stipulation was that the £700 compensation was to be refunded?—l will read you the telegram appointing him. Mr. Seddon sent this telegram, dated Dunedin, 19th November, 1891, to S. Moore: "It has been decided that you are to be reinstated in the Police Force with the rank of sergeant-major. On first vacancy Inspectorship you to be promoted to your former rank as Inspector. Compensation paid to you to be refunded. It is my intention for the present to place you in charge of Napier District. You will receive the usual official notification in the course of a few days or so.—E. J. Seddon." Then, on the Bth February, 1892, I wrote to Inspector Emerson, in charge of the Napier District, Sergeant-major Moore having in the meantime been posted to Gisborne, which is in the Napier District, requesting him to ascertain from Sergeantmajor Moore how he proposed to refund the compensation received by him on retirement from the service in the June previously. I shall have to read his reply in full: — Police Office, Gisborne, 19th February, 1892. Inspector Emerson, in charge of Waikato and East Coast District, Hamilton. Repobt o£ Sergeant Major Moore, in compliance with the annexed letter, No. 49, of date Bth instant, from tne Commissioner of Police, with your minute of date the 11th February, 1892, thereon, asking how he proposes refunding the compensation, £700, received by him on his retirement from the service on the 30th June last. I beg most respectfully to request that the department will not urge on a refund while 1 hold such an inferior position to my former one, on retirement from which I received the compensation ; taking into consideration the pecuniary loss 1 have already sustained through being so long a period out of the service—namely, from the 30th June, 18J1, to the Ist December laet, without any fault whatsoever on my part, as the books of the department will show. Having on the 13th October, 1861, at the solicitation of the then Provincial Government of Otago, been transferred from the Victorian Police, where a pension of from £250 to £370 per annum is given on retirement therefrom, to the Otago Police Service and having held a commissioned rank—that of second and first class Inspector—from the 7th August, 1871, until the 30th June last (over twenty years), I submit that it is hard to be now compelled, through necessity, to accept a non-commissioned grade, and then refund my compensation. It is well-known by the former heads of the department that during the greater portion of my service I have had responsible and arduous duties in charge ot gold escorts and districts combined. Owing to the great amount of travelling those duties entailed, 1 have not had a ohance to save money to provide for my family as other Inspectors had who were simply in charge of districts. Again in March, 1888, I was transferred from Lawrence to take charge of the Southland District, and in January, 1890 from Southland to the charge of the Dunedin district, each transfer causing me a loss of over ±50. 1 was not aware at the time that other Inspectors obtained a refund for similar losses; consequently I did not apply for a refund. Now, having been so long out of the service—namely, from the 30th June, 1891, to December last,—and being in daily expectation of reinstatement, I had necessarily to encroach very heavily upon my compensation, and having re-entered the service in with the rank of sergeant-major, at about one-half the salary 1 was in receipt of in my former position, I submit that I am fairly entitled for my past service to the two years pay as compensation. For instance, were I in a position to refund the money, which lam not, if again retired with my present rank I would only be entitled to one year's pay, about £191. This, I submit, would be very hard on me and my family. Under the whole circumstances of my case, I most earnestly request that the head of the department may be pleased not to urge on a refund while I hold the present non-commissioned rank. Should the department be pleased to place me in my former position, I would most willingly submit to monthly deduction from my salary, or give the department a guarantee that on my retirement from the service I would not be entitled to any more compensation. I may, in conclusion; state that, owing to my repeated removals (particularly during the last five years), my family have been subjected to many disadvantages in the way of schooling, &o. Feeling sure the Commissioner of Police, Colonel Hume, will clearly see the force and reasonableness of these remarks, I most respectfully ask that he will be good enough to advise the Honourable the Defence Minister to grant my request. S. Moore, Sergeant major, No. 617. That was submitted to the Hon. the Defence Minister on the 17th March, 1892, and he says: "Sergeant-major Moore accepted the appointment he now holds on the distinct understanding that the moneys received as compensation were to be refunded, and in terms which he agreed to. The moneys must be returned. If terms agreed to require amendment, amend by extending time. 503. The Chairvian.] What is the extension of time referred to ? There must have been some terms agreed to for repayment ?I do not see the terms ?— You see the Minister was away when this happened. I asked afterwards what he proposed to do, and that is the answer which I have just read,