H.—2

138

135. How often are the accounts settled between the brothers and sisters and the present licensee —quarterly or what ?—My wife has got nothing as yet. 136. Have any of them got anything ?—Steve Dealy got £1,000. 137. Has your wife got anything? —She expects to. 138. As a matter of fact, has not your wife a monetary interest in that hotel property?— She expects to get something. Ido not know whether he will deny her claim. 139. Is she not a participant under the will ? —But there are three of the family at home. 140. The Chairman.'] Who does the publichouse belong to ?—Dan Dealy; and he died intestate. 141. What relation was he to your wife?— Brother. 142. Mr. Taylor.] You say Mrs. O'Leary never received any moneys from that hotel?— She has received nothing yet. 143. Who does Dealy pay the rent to ? —He pays it to the Maoris. 144. Who own the land?— Yes. The house was owned by the brother who died; but it stood on Maori leasehold. 145. Does he pay any rent over and above ground-rent?—He pays rent to a man named Bgan for helping him to obtain a renewal of the lease of the land from the Maoris. 146. When was that renewal?— About four years ago. 147. For how long?— Twenty-one years. 148. Does Dealy not pay anything for the rent of the building to the Dealys who are interested in that property ?—No. 149. Then, the only rent he has to pay for the Bail way Hotel is the ground-rent to the Maoris? —Yes. 150. When is he going to settle up with your wife and his brothers and sisters ?—She is in no hurry. 151. Is the sum you mentioned was paid to Steve Dealy about a fair indication of what is going to be paid to the others ?—I do not know. They are working there, and they should receive more than those who do nothing. 152. Then, Mrs. O'Leary will get £1,000 or more?—No, she will not get half. 153. You think she will get £500 ?—I do not know. 154. Will she get anything?—l do not know. She may not. 155. What is the value of her right in the property?—l cannot tell that. It would be for a Judge to decide that. 156. As a matter of fact, have you not told plenty of people that she has over £1,000 interest in that hotel ?—I reckon if it was fairly dealt out, she would. The place could be sold for £4,000. 157. If your wife got it, you would be benefited? —Yes. 158. Do you know subsection (3) or section 28 of the Licensing Act?—lt says a constable's wife shall have no interest in a hotel. I did not put that claim in my wife's name. 159. Colonel Pitt.] When were you married ?—I am sixteen years married. 160. Mr. Taylor.] Were you in the Police Force or Constabulary Force when you married ?— In the Police. 161. You got married immediately after you joined?—l was married two months before I joined. 162. Were you in the Armed Constabulary when you were married?—No, after I was transferred from the Armed Constabulary I was working for twelve months at the tunnel works. 163. Who recommended you for the police ?—Major Gudgeon. 164. Can you remember who else ?—I cannot remember. I think nobody else but Major Gudgeon. 165. Then, you were married in the interval between leaving the Armed Constabulary and joining the police ?—Yes. 166. How long ago is it since Dealy died ? —Something over five years. 167. Are you not aware of the fact that your brother-in-law is very familiar with Mr. Frank Lawry?—l do not know that. 168. Do not you know that "Mr. Dealy and Mr. Lawry are close friends ?—I cannot say that. 169. Do you know that they know each other ?—I never saw them together. 170. In your conversation with Dealy has not Mr. Lawry's name come up? You are on oath and you ought to answer the question without hesitation? —I cannot say that. I have never heard that." 171. Did you never hear your brother-in-law mention Mr. Lawry's name when discussing the question of the Newtown Station with you?— No. All I mentioned was that I was a long time in town. 172. Why did you mention that: because he had some political influence ?—He may have. 173. Was not the whole object of your visit to your brother-in-law that he should get you off street duty and into a station ?—I was supposed to be going to Porirua. 174. Was not Porirua a subject of discussion with your brother-in-law? who told you that?— Inspector Pender. 175. How long after you came into Wellington did he tell you that ?—lmmediately ; the first day after I reported myself. 176. Then you were practically ordered from Ohingaiti to Porirua ?—So far as I know. 177. Colonel Pitt.] Does your wife want the cash, or does she wish the money to remain invested in the hotel ?—The man who is running the business now after paying one brother £1,000 will not likely be able to pay another for some time. 178. Is she anxious to get the cash ?—-She would rather wait. The man cannot pay her now.