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B. MACOONELL.

267. Mr. B. McKenzie.] Was not Sergeant McArdle in charge of the Nelson Police District, then ?—He was in charge of the subdistrict. Commissioner Tunbridge : He was never an Inspector; he was only a sergeant. Mr. B. McKenzie : There was no other Inspector, was there ? Commissioner Tunbridge : There has been no Inspector at Nelson since Inspector Aitcheson was retired. 268. Mr. B. McKenzie.] Was not Sergeant McArdle in charge of the Nelson police in the same way as Inspector Maedonell?—No ; he was in charge at Nelson in the same way as Sergeant Mackay. Commissioner Tunbridge : Inspector Maedonell was in charge of the Greymouth District, a portion of which is Nelson. Sergeant McArdle was simply the sergeant in charge of Nelson before Sergeant Mackay was appointed. Mr. B. McKenzie : He was not the Inspector at Greymouth. Commissioner Tunbridge : Yes. Mr. B. McKenzie : Who was the Inspector? Commissioner Tunbridge : Ellison was the Inspector before Maedonell, Cullen before Ellison, and Pratt before Cullen. (To witness :) 269. Now, to resume my examination : Considering that these young men were going to the station the same as the older men before them had done, do you not think it was very reasonable for them to have considered that they were not doing very much wrong ?—Yes ; if all they did was to go there, get some tea, and go back immediately, I would not think it a serious matter. 270. That was all that was proved, was it not ? —I do not think so. I saw them there for a considerable time. 271. Yes ; that is what I said —that I considered they remained there longer than necessary'? —Yes. If that was the only object, I would not consider it a very serious matter. 272. Do you think that a man should be dismissed from the service for going to the station at 2 o'clock in the morning, while on duty, to get himself a cup of tea, the same as others had been doing for years before ?—No, if that was all he did. 273. Or even if he stayed half an hour longer than was necessary?—lf he stayed too long 274. You would dismiss him then ?—I do not say so. I would consider it seriously. Examination interrupted by arrival of hour of 1 o'clock. Mr. Skerrett: Before the Committee adjourn, may I ask for one direction ? There are some independent witnesses apart from the police whom I would like to bring forward. I understand that Mr. Maginnity has asked to be allowed to cross-examine Inspector Maedonell, and probably the next sitting-day will be entirely occupied by his cross-examination. I desire the opportunity of submitting to the Committee the witnesses whom I suggest ought to be in attendance ; and I will ask the Committee, if they agree with my representations, to authorise you, Mr. Chairman, to direct the attendance of these witnesses. The Chairman : If you will submit the names of any witnesses that you may wish to call to the Committee we will decide. Mr. B. McKenzie : I would like Mr. Skerrett to give the Committee some indication as to whether the witnesses referred to can give material information. Mr. Skerrett: Yes. If this matter is to be investigated properly, it is essential that they should be before the Committee. Mr. Maginnity : Will the Committee hear me for a moment ? They will do me the justice of remembering that when I entered upon these proceedings I stated that I was most anxious for a very full investigation, both on the part of the men and on the part of the people of Nelson. lam most anxious to'meet my friend in every possible way, and also to meet the convenience of the Committee ; but I am getting somewhat nervous now owing to the early approach—the immediate approach—of the close of the present session ; and I am satisfied that -the Committee would, with me, feel the greatest.regret if by any means this investigation was not completed in time to enable the Committee to submit their report to Parliament; and I shall ask the Committee now, at this stage, if it happens that their investigation into matters which have already been brought and are still to be brought is not sufficiently completed to enable the Committee to make a full report to Parliament, to consider in the interregnum whether they would be prepared to make such a report to Parliament as would lead to an investigation taking place by some independent tribunal during the recess, so that the matter may not be allowed to remain open until next session, when a new Parliament will have been elected. It is possible—l hope not probable —that some of the faces I see around me to-day may not be here if we have to meet again. But I would ask the Committee with all seriousness to consider my representations, so that the matter shall not be hung up, and make a recommendation to Parliament in order that some independent tribunal may be set up, and that the matter may be finally dealt with. Mr. Skerrett: They must hear the evidence before they can make any report. Mr. Maginnity : Just so ; but the evidence may not be completed, and I ask the Committee to consider that point. I have a good many witnesses to call; and I shall have to ask the Committee to concede me the right to call rebutting evidence to any evidence my learned friend may think fit to bring before the Committee. My anxiety, in view of what I have heard about the termination of the session, is that we should finish the whole inquiry, and that justice should be done.

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