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555. Do you know of any totalisator shops in Wellington ?—Not at present. 356. Not one ?—No. 357. Do you know of any other spielers in addition to those Constable Johnston named ?— No. 358. When did you see these two men last ?—About three weeks ago or so. 359. Do you know the billiard-rooms of Wellington well ?—No, I have not been in a billiardroom in Wellington. 360. You do not wager at all ?—No. 361. You think the licensing law is very strictly enforced in Wellington?—lt has been lately. 362. Very strictly?— Yes, and especially since the new Commissioner arrived. 363. Does that mean closing at the legal hour at night, and on Sunday?— Yes. 364. How do you know it is strictly enforced ?—I can judge when walking about town; you do not see so many men under the influence of drink. 365. On Sunday?—l have not seen any one under the influence of drink on Sunday. 366. Well, then, before the new Commissioner arrived the administration of the licensing law must have been lax ?—lt might be a little. 367. Mr. Tunbridge.] When you saw these two spielers you spoke of, were they committing any offence for which you could have arrested them?— No. 368. Inspector Pander.] It is not more than three weeks since McLaughlan was up before the Court ?—No. 369. Do you know if there is any discontent in the Police Force in Wellington?—No ; unless about the long-service pay. 370. Nor between the detectives, nor amongst the men generally ?—Not the slightest. 371. Do the men generally agree with each other and work together?— They are the greatest of friends. 372. The most of them are young men?— Yes. 373. Are they steady, sober men?— Yes. 374. You have a very good knowledge of discipline, having been in the Artillery, and so on. Do you notice that these men observe the rules of the service very strictly in barracks and other places?— Yes. 375. No disorganization of any kind existing ?—No. 376. Mr. Taylor.] I would like to know whether the regulations are that the men in the police public office are allowed to smoke ? —No. 377. If I found three men in uniform smoking last week it was an unusual occurrence?— Perhaps it was in the waiting-room. 378. The Chairman.'] I suppose smoking is allowed in the lower mess-room and in the library upstairs ? —Yes. 379. Have the men anything to say or to suggest with regard to their quarters ?—There are some men coming before the Commission. I would like to put in a certificate for first aid to the injured gained by me and dated the 30th July, 1891. 380. Colonel Pitt.] Have you ambulance classes in the Police Force ?—No. 381. There is an ambulance litter at the police-station?— Yes, and one at each fire brigade station, and one at the wharf. 382. How long is it since you have had any ambulance instruction?— About six years. 383. Was that a police class solely? —Yes. 384. The Chairman.] How long is it since any instruction has been given to the members of the Force as a body in first aid to the injured ?—About six years, I think. 385. There has been none since that you are aware of ? —No. 386. Are there many men here who gained these certificates with you ?—Not many of them. Five or six men stationed at Wellington hold the same certificate. John Jackson Johnston was re-examined on oath. 387. The Chairman. , ] What is it you wish to add to your evidence ? —I wish to add that the men would consider it a great advantage if their annual leave was allowed to accumulate. 388. To what extent ?—Of course we are allowed twelve days annual leave of absence now. We would like it to accumulate to about three weeks or a month, to give a man an opportunity if he wanted it to visit the other colony, to learn anything or to transact private business, which would take more than twelve days. 389. Then, you would like it to accumulate for two or three years ?—Yes. 390. Is there anything else ? —No. 391. Colonel Pitt.] Have you an ambulance certificate ?—Yes, I passed a most satisfactory examination, but I could not find my certificate this afternoon. 392. But you have one?— Yes. John Cbewes was examined on oath. 893. The Chairman.'] You are an ordained minister of religion ?—I am an ex-minister of religion. 394. Are you ordained by any Church?—l am qualified for the Christian ministry, but lam not in charge of any church. lam an ex-minister of a Methodist Church. I received ordination in the sense in which it is accepted by Nonconformist ministers in England. 395. Will you kindly tell us what you wish to bring under our notice ?—I have looked at this commission of yours and I want to offer a few remarks that I think will come under the words " made more efficient," and, again, I want to speak a few words as to the " general conduct, sobriety, and morality of the members of the Police Force," and in regard to the question of enforcing the laws of the colony. I may say that during most of my lifetime I have been'