I.—4a,

66

Inspector Atchison.

11th Oct., 1878. Mr. J. R. Brown.

11th Oct., 1878.

Sergeant Price.

11th Oct., 1878.

Sergeant Smith.

11th Oct., 1878.

Natives would fight on McDonald's behalf that the Volunteers were about being called out, but this arrest was effected without leading to airy trouble. Sergeant Fraser has also been with me nearly fourteen years. Jajies R. Brown, being duly sworn, was examined. 1817. The Chairman] What are you ? —I was a publican ; but lam now living on my means. 1818. Inspector Atchison] Do you remember sixteen or eighteen months ago coming to me and making me some offer ? —Tes. 1819. Will you tell the Committee what occurred ?—Tes. I think it was last May twelve months, when I was asked by a man who was going to apply for a license for the Railw.iy Hotel to offer the Inspector fifty sovereigns. He said I had known him a long time and perhaps he would take it from me. I told him it was no use offering it because I knew the Inspector would not take it; but he asked me, as a favour, if I would make the offer. I agreed to do so, but said I knew it was useless. I met the Inspector soon afterwards, and, after apologizing to him for the question I was about to put, I asked him if he would take fifty sovereigns not to oppose the license ? 1820. The Chairman] That was Pestridge's license, I suppose? —No; it was a man named Lansdowne who was applying. The Inspector replied he had never done such a thing in his life, and he was greatly surprised that I should have insulted him so. I apologized to him, and said I had told Lansdowne that I knew it was no good. 1821. Did Lansdowne give you the money ?—No ; he was to have given it to me in gold, if it had been accepted, so that it would not be possible to trace it, as it might if it were given in notes. 1822. The Inspector] Why did Lansdowne select you to do this ?—Because I had known you so long. 1823. How many years have you known me ?—As far back as I can recollect. 1824. We were neighbours for some years ?—Tes. 1825. And your father aud I were particularly good friends ?—Tes. John Price, Sergeant of Police, stationed in Wellington, being duly sworn, was examined. 1826. Inspector Atchison] Do you remember coming up to my house, during the month of June or July in 1877, in respect to Heggarty's case ?—lt was in September. 1527. Oh, September, was it? What time in the morning did you come? — Between 2 and 3 ; about half-past 2, I should think. 1828. Tou woke me up ? —Tes. 1829. What did you tell me ?—I said I had seen Heggarty and hi 3 son and son-in-law in town, knew where they were staying; and, seeing that he was under committal, I wanted to know what I should do. 1830. Do you remember, the following morning, being on the beach with Farrell ?—Tes. 1831. Did he ask you to point out Heggarty to him ? —He did not directly ask me, but he wanted to know what sort of a man he was. I said, " Tou ought to know him, but, if you don't, I will point him out to you." 1832. Did you point him out?—l did ; he was standing sideways to us, near the Oddfellows' Hall, in company with his son and son-in-law. 1833. Are you on friendly terms with Farrell ?—I am not, and have not been for the last two years. 1834. The Chairman] Why?—l have often heard him make some nasty remarks concerning Monaghan, who was in the force. Monaghan used to conduct the mess; and once I heard Farrell say that Monaghan was robbing the mess by having his own mess free, and receiving discount from the tradespeople and keeping it. He at the same time said the Inspector was as bad. I said, " Farrell, you ought to be ashamed of yourself." We have been on speaking terms, but not on friendly terms, since then, because I could not be friendly with a man who spoke so behind his officers' backs. 1835. Were you living in the mess yourself, then ?—No ; not then. 1836. Tou had messed there before ? —Tes. 1837. Had you ever reason to complain ?—No ; I was there three years. 1838. Did Farrell ever bring the matter up formerly ?—No. 1839. Tou did not report this to the Inspector?— No. 1840. Did you speak strongly to Farrell ?—I told him he ought to be damned well ashamed of himself. Sergeant Smith, being duly sworn, was re-examined. 1841. Inspector Atchison] Do you remember the arrest of Heggarty ?—I was not present when he was arrested. I recollect your calling me to where you and Farrell were standing —I was a stranger in Wellington then—and saying, "Smith, will you accompany Farrell to the wharf. I shall be down there directly, and will point him out to you." 1842. Did you go down to the wharf?—Tes. 1843. With Farrell ?—Tes ; and you followed immediately afterwards. 1844. Did I point out Heggarty to you and Farrell?—Tou did. 1845. Did Farrell recognize Heggarty until I pointed him out ?—Well, we had been on the wharf ten minutes looking for him, and had not found him. 1846. Heggarty was on the wharf ? —Tes ; the man whom you pointed out as Heggarty was there all the time. 1847. Tou saw me go on board the " Arawata," and enter into a conversation with the captain ? —Tes. 1848. And return ?—And return. 1849. And then I went back to the station ?—Tes. 1850. Did I subsequently give any instructions to Farrell with regard to the arrest of Heggarty ? —I was not present when you gave instructions.