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E. MACKAY.]

97

I.—lα

23. Was that at the time of his being married ?—Yes. 24. Some charges respecting yourself were inquired into by the Commissioner, I understand: is that so?— Yes. 25. Do you know a man named Eemnant in Nelson ? —Yes. 26. What reputation does he bear?—He is of indifferent character. 27. In what way indifferent?— Drunken about the streets. I have repeatedly seen him under the influence of drink on Saturday nights. I have ordered him off the corners of the streets several times, and then he has become abusive and insolent. 28. That would not justify you in saying that a man was of indifferent character. What else do you know about Eemnant? —In my opinion, a man who repeatedly goes about drunk is of indifferent character. 29. Where was he employed when you were in Nelson ?—I think he was driving for Neill, the merchant there. lam pretty sure of it. 30. In what line of business are Neills? —Coal, firewood, grain, and so on. 31. Are they a respectable firm?— Yes. 32. A firm that you think would employ a drunkard ?—Well, I would not think they would if they knew it. 33. The Committee have been informed that he was employed by them for two years and a half, I think ?—He may have been. 34. If he were a drunkard, as you state, would they not have opportunities of knowing? — If he did it of a Saturday night, after his work was done, I do not suppose they would know. 35. It comes to this, then : on Saturday nights he may take a glass of beer?— Many, I should think. 36. During the remainder of the week he conducted himself as a respectable citizen ?—That is more than I can say. 37. You do not know anything to the contrary?— No. 38. Are there any other grounds upon which you state that Bemnant is of indifferent character ?—I have heard that he is in the habit of assaulting his wife, but that is only hearsay. 39. I understand that at one time he came to you at the station with a complaint?—He did one Saturday night; I should say, nearly two years ago. 40. What was the complaint he made ?—He came into the station, and his words were, "I have been insulted." I asked, "By whom?" and he said, " Constable Burrell." I asked, " What do you mean by 'insulted'?" "Well," he said, "he insulted me." I said, " You must tell me. How did he insult you?" He said, "Nevermind; he insulted me." Eemnant was then in a muddled state with drink, and sat in the chair in my office. Seeing that he was in a muddled state I said to him, " You had better put your complaint in writing," and he said that he would. As I have said, he was sitting in the chair, and as I was busy at the time I said, " You must not stop in here " —I thought he was going to sleep—" you had better go out and put your complaint in writing." He said, " I will " ; but I never heard anything more of that man's complaint until I received a document containing a charge against myself in reference to it. 41. Are you aware that Eemnant denied that you asked him to put his complaint in writing?— He did, in my presence. 42. Were you writing at the time he made the complaint to you ?—As nearly as I can remember the circumstances, I was attending to the overland mail. Whether I was writing or attending to the correspondence I am not quite clear. 43. When any one comes to you with a complaint do you not take notes of it ?—lf I consider it really a complaint I do. 44. Here is a man who came complaining of being assaulted by a constable. Did you make any note of it at all ?—No. I saw nothing in the man's appearance to lead me to believe that any such thing had taken place. 45. You would want some evidence —a black eye, or something of that sort?—l should have expected him to have a mark of some sort. 46. Did you examine the man ?—I looked at him. 47. Did you put any questions to him?—l did. I asked him how he was insulted, and he said, " Never mind ; I was insulted." With that he sat down in the chair in the office. 48. Did you say anything to Burrell when he came to the station in reference to this ?— I think I did a day or so afterwards. Perhaps it was the next day. I am not quite clear on that point. 49. You made no note of it ?—My reason for not making a note at the time was that I was expecting the man to come back and make a written complaint if he had a grievance. 50. How would you do in the case of a man who could not write ? —He could get somebody to write for him, I presume. If he had told me that he could not write I would have taken it down. 51. You cannot say whether you did speak to Burrell or not? —I did say something to him about it, and he said that the man was loitering at the corner and he ordered him off. As I received no further complaint from the man I considered his grievance an imaginary one. If the man had a grievance I should think he would have come back. 52. Did you hear anything more of Eemnant in connection with the police in Nelson while you were there ?—Yes. 53. In what respect ? —I think some months later he was brought before the Court for leaving his cart unattended. 54. Which constable brought the charge against him on that occasion ?—Burrell reported the matter, and I ordered an information to be laid. 13—1. lα.

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