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come into the police-station, and cautioned us never to again allow a similar occurrence. This caution has been strictly adhered to, that being the last and only time women have entered the mess-room. The affair was done in all innocence, and at the time I was not aware that I was doing anything wrong. Both the young women are of good character, and are well known and respected in Nelson. I deeply regret having acted so indiscreetly, and realise how simply a bad meaning can be taken from an innocent action. I am fully prepared to give my assurance that a similar occurrence will never again take place by me while I am a member of the Police Force. Sergeant Mackay, in charge of Police, Nelson. Respectfully forwarded to the Inspector. I may say that I have always found Constable Burrell to be a sober, steady constable, attentive to his duties. Had I not found him so I would not have recommended his application of 27th December last for charge of an out-station.—E. Mackay, Sergeant No. 210. 7/3/02. I call no witnesses. [No cross-examination.]. —A. B. Questioned by Commissioner.] It is not correct that I came to the police-station at 12.20 a.m., as stated by Constable Williams. As near as I can now remember, it was about 1.45 a.m. when we reached the station. The sergeant called Constable Durbridge into his office, and not me. When Constable Durbridge and the females left the station I went straight to bed, and did not leave the station. lam fixing the time that I came off duty from my own recollection, and not from any entry made by myself or any other person in any book or diary. I cannot explain how it is that the diary shows me as being relieved at 1 a.m., whereas I came off at 1.45 a.m. I can only account for the discrepancy by supposing the sergeant made a mistake in entering 1 a.m. instead of 2 a.m., or that I mistook one hour for the other. lam unable to explain how it is the visitingbook also shows me as coming off duty at 1 a.m. when I came off at 1.45 a.m. Arthur Burrell, Constable 912..

New Zealand.—Police Department. From Inspector Macdonell, Grey. Eeceived 26/2/02. Subject: Complaint against Constables Burrell and Durbridge having two women in the police-station at midnight.

Police Office, Greymouth, 24th February, 1902. Be Constables Burrell and Durbridge having two young women (and not of the best repute) in the station at midnight, constable being off his beat at the time, and Sergeant Mackay failing to report such conduct. I beg to forward herewith copy of a report made by Constable Williams and handed to Sergeant Mackay in July last, and which the sergeant failed to forward to me. 1 never heard of the matter until my recent visit to Nelson. I did not mention the matter to Sergeant Mackay, not knowing what attitude the sergeant or the men may take up in their defence. lam quite prepared to hear a total denial that such a thing ever took place, and for that reason I think great caution is 'necessary. I think, if gone about carefully, admissions might be got from the girls themselves. Constable Durbridge has been keeping company with . She has disappeared, and it is suspected she is away to get rid of a trouble similar to . Whether this is so or not I cannot say, but the fact that her married sister will not tell where she is is suspicious. This is the present position, and, as before stated, caution is required to get at the truth. E. Macdonell, Inspector.

Police-station, Nelson, 18th July, 1901. On the 18th July, at 12.20 midnight, Constable Burrell, in company with Constable Durbridge, brought two women into the police-station, named Kate Smith, barmaid at the Royal Hotel, Bridge Street, and Miss Kitching, of Jones's boot-shop, Bridge Street. There was a lot of noise in the mess-room. I called the sergeant out of bed. He went into the mess-room and saw the women. He called Burrell into his office. Burrell was on duty at the time, and off his beat. When the sergeant came out of his office Burrell returned to the women. The sergeant stated that the women had been at the Roman Catholic ball, and they came to get some supper. The sergeant said, "We will attend to this affair in the morning." I made a report of the matter ; but the sergeant said, " Don't put in the report, as the Commissioner would only laugh at it." The Inspector of Police, Nelson. J. S. Williams, Constable No. 754.

Constable Burrell. Charge No. 2. —lmproperly leaving his beat without just cause, and going to the Nelson Police-station about 2.30 a.m. 14th instant. Finding. —Although, strictly speaking, this charge was not proved, inasmuch as the Inspector could not say who the men were, or even if they were policemen at all, whom he saw enter and leave the station on the night in question, still, the constable admits he left his beat and went to the station to get some tea. This appears to have been the practice at Nelson long before Sergeant Mackay went there (see Constable McGrath's evidence), and apparently the constable took it for granted he could do so without running the risk of punishment. lam of opinion the constable remained on the station much longer than sufficient time to get his tea, during which period his beat was left unattended, and therefore severely reprimand and caution him on this charge. The punishment would have been more severe had not the constable up to this time had a clear defaulter's sheet J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police.