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[W. G. WOHLMANN.

L—lb.

221. When did he escape —in January ?—- That is BC. He escaped, and we had some trouble in locating him, and then it was my duty to report all the facts within my knowledge, and 1 did so. 222. That was in March? —Yes. 22.'!. That was some time after the whole thing had blown over? —My superior officers wanted to know what had been done, and there was that special application from Dr. May. That was the immediate cause of that particular report. 224. Hon. Mr. Fisher.] It has been suggested that you had everything readied-up for the Justices of the Peace —1 am referring now to the committal order: is it the usual practice for the police to fill the form in ready for signature? —In country districts it is usual for the police to act as Clerk. Ihey take down the man's statement. It is the duty of the police to make application. That is the practice that has been followed. 225. It is the usual practice? —Yes. 226. When the doctors came along did you make any suggestion to them about Johnston ever having suffered from epilepsy ? —Absolutely, No. 227. Where did you first hear of epilepsy? -From himself. 228. Was that prior to the examination by the doctors?— Yes, when lie told me about the strange things. 229. Did you state to the doctors that be told you he had epilepsy, or did they discover that themselves?— Dr. Craig learned it from him. 230. Without any suggestion at all from you I- —That is so. He knew as much about it as I did. 231. There was no report by the police shown to the doctors before they examined him?— I have no recollection of it. 232. Did you write any report on Johnston's case prior to the examination by the doctors? - -No. 233. Did anybody else?—Detective-Sergeant Cooney made a short report. That was the only report in existence at the time. 234. So the suggestion by the doctor that there was epilepsy in Johnston's ease was not a suggestion which came from the police? —No. 235. When did you first hear of Johnston's attempt to shoot his wife?— When he made the statement in the presence of Detective-Sergeant Cooney and myself. Prior to that I had heard from Dr. Craig that the man hail made extraordinary statements, but I did not know any details. •_'■'!(). You do not know when they were made? —To the doctor privately when he was examining Johnston as his medical adviser. Johnston selected Dr. Craig from the three doctors at Waihi for his own doctor, and while he was under Dr. Craig he made these statements. I understand. 237. At the time of the examination of Johnston by the doctors the police knew nothing about Johnston having epilepsy in his family or having committed himself?—l knew of it from his statement to me, but I made no such statement to the doctors, and there was nothing in my report that the doctors saw. 238. And you were present when the doctors examined him?—l was. 2.'!!). You had heard nothing at all about epilepsy up to the time of the medical examination? —No. 240. When did you first hear that Johnston had fired at his wife? —When he told me. 241. Did you first hear of Johnston having epilepsy from Johnston himself or from the doctors? —From Johnston himself —his statement that he had these seizures. 242. Did you suggest to the doctors or tell the doctors that Johnston had told you that he had epilepsy.'—l did not. 243. They discovered that for themselves?— Yes. Dr. Craig knew it before I did. 244. Both doctors knew he had epilepsy?—l think Dr. Craig did. 245. Here is the certificate of Dr. Craig, and he says, " He is subject to petit mal of epilepsy, and informs me that about a year ago under great financial stress he made up his mind to kill his wife and children." ki the certificate of Dr. Galligan he says. "In my opinion the said persons may be properly classified as being of unsound mind, feeble-minded, and epileptic"? —Yes. , 246. Do you happen to know thai when he was taken to Auckland he was certified to by Dr. G. Wishart Will. Medical Officer at the mental hospital, and he certified that Johnston's mental condition conforms with the statements made on the certificates of committal.' I heard that was so. 247. There are three doctors certifying as to his mental condition. Did you approach any of the doctors and suggest that it was desirable they should certify to the man's insanity?—l did not. Ido not know Dr. Will and never saw him, so far as I recollect. 248. What did you know about Johnston's condition up to the time of the medical examination : did you ever observe .anything unusual?— That he was erratic, nervy, and a highly strung man. 249. He gave evidence in the Barfoot case?— Yes. 250. Do you remember his evidence in that ease.' I do not remember his giving evidence there, but I remember his giving evidence in the case of Evans. 251. Did he give his evidence clearly? Yes. except that he appeared to be under a great strain. 252. Was there an adjournment on account of his mental condition? —There was an adjournment, and 1 think it was in order to give him a spell. 253. The ease was adjourned at the request of Mr. Mays. Crown Prosecutor? -That is so. 254. Were you present at his examination at the inquest?—l was.