W. G. WOHLMANN.j

13

I.—IB.

51. After Johnston made that statement, when was it that it was put into writing? Did the sergeant put it into writing and give it to the Inspector?—He did. He made an official report, and it went to the Inspector. 52. Was it the intention of the police to take action on the information contained in that statement?—lt was. 53. What kind of action?—To bring him before two medical men and have him examined: that was the action that was directed to be taken. 54. When did you come to that decision?—As soon as he read the report. That was the minute on the report immediately after his reading of it—either that day or the following day. 55. You are quite sure of that? It was not after the 12th that the report was made to Inspector Wright?—No, I am quite positive. 56. Before the 12th December you fully intended to have him examined as to his mental condition ? —That was my definite instruction in writing. 57. From Inspector Wright?—Yes. 58. Hon. Mr. Fisher.] 1 suppose those documents can be produced?— They can. 59. The Chairman.] Have you got them with you?— No. I have no correspondence here. Commissioner Cullen .' They are on the file here. 60. Mr. Robertson.] The first time the police knew of Johnston's attempt to shoot his wife was from his own statement on the 2nd December?— That was the first detailed information; but, as I said, I had a hint from Dr. Craig that the man had made extraordinary statements to him, and from his observations as a medical man he had come to the conclusion that Johnston should be committed to an asylum. 61. Will you swear that Detective-Sergeant Cooney did not tell you, prior to the 2nd December, that Johnston had made a certain statement to him? —I have no recollection of it. My distinctest recollection is that Detective-Sergeant Cooney brought Johnston into the office after he had made the statement. He met him at the gate, I think. 62. He made the statement to Cooney, and Cooney regarded it as being so serious that he brought Johnston into the police-station and got him to make it again before you and himself? —That is so. 63. You swear that that is what happened] —I do, to the best of my belief. 64. This report of Detective-Sergeant Cooney's is not the report that is contained in the police report ?—I made a report myself. 65. You made a subsequent report?— Yes. 66. That is, there were two reports made to Inspector Wright on the matter?— There were several reports. Detective-Sergeant Cooney did not go into very great detail. Ho simply stated the general outline, sufficient to give the Inspector an idea of the man's mental state and the circumstances under which Johnston had made the statement. It was later on that I made a report in further detail. 67. At what date did you make that report in detail?—l cannot give you the date; some time afterwards. 68. When you say that Detective-Sergeant Cooney reported immediately to Inspector Wright, you mean a day after Johnston made the statement to the two of you together?—T would not say that. I think in the natural course of events lie would make the report that day. 69. Will you have a look at the report contained in the police report [shown to and read by witness]? —Yes. 70. Is that the report that you made?—lt is. 71. That was written out, then, after Johnston made the statement to you and DetectiveSergeant Cooney?—lt was. 72. How long after?— Some weeks after. 73. Did you rely on your memory as to what had been said?— Yes. 74. That would be after Johnston was committed?—lt was. 75. On the 12th December there was a case in the Waihi Police Court in which a man named Barfoot was charged with assault or having firearms in his possession?— With firing a loaded weapon. 76. You subpoenaed Johnston as a witness in that case?—l do not recollect it. 77. Surely there would be some record to show?— There would be if such was the fact. 78. He was a police witness in the case?-—I do not recollect that. 79. You do not recollect Johnston giving any evidence at all in the case against Barfoot on the 12th December? —That was some time after the conclusion of the inquest on Evans. He was committed to the asylum very shortly after the inquest. 80. He was committed to the asylum on the 14th .December. This was two days before he was committed? —I have not a distinct recollection of his giving evidence. My impression is that Johnston was committed immediately after the inquest on Evans. 81. You cannot give the Committee the date when that inquest concluded?—No, 1 do not recollect the date. 82. You do not recollect his being a witness in the case against Barfoot?—No, I have no distinct recollection of it. The case was conducted by the Crown Solicitor, and I do not distinctly recollect. I may not have been present in the Court. I was in part of the time. I do not remember this man giving evidence. 83. Do you not remember that it was out of Barfoot's case, as well as the inquest, that the charge against Harvey for perjury originated?—No, it was chiefly on account of his evidence at the inquest. It arose through his statement that he was driving through Karangahake and drew a revolver. He denied it.