69

I.—4a

Mr. E. J. Barnard.

17th Oct., 1878,

Mr.a.F.Barton.

17th Oct., 1878,

1884. How do you mean ? Just explain what you mean ?—The policeman has been there a long time, and, as he is supposed to have some interest in one of the houses, he might do some harm to people if they spoke their minds. It was well known that there was a wish that another hotel should be opened. 1885. A second hotel ? —A third. 1886. How do you know a third hotel was wanted ?—They said so ; but still a good many objected to put their names to a petition to that effect. 1887. Why ?—Because the policeman has such large interest there. 1888. Did he allege it was unnecessary to have another house ? —Tes. 1889. There were two already ? —Tes. 1890. Hon. Mr. Fox] In a small place of a population of about six hundred?— There was a general expression of opinion that the house should be licensed. 1891. How did they give expression to that opinion? Was any poll taken ? —No. I got a petition from the people, but a good many were frightened. 1892. How many persons signed ?—I could not say. 1893. How many women signed the petition ? —About one hundred and fifty. 1894. Women ?—No ; I mean men. There were no women, that I know 7 of. 1895. Were they asked ?—No; not that I know of. 1896. Tou did not think it was necessary for their domestic happiness that they should be consulted: —They would have signed willingly. 1897. How do you know ?—Because I lived there some time. 1898. Because you lived there some time ! Does that prove that you knew the mind of all the women of the place ?—I think so ; I think they would have signed. 1899. The Chairman] Is that all you have to say? —Tes ; I may add that, when one man applied for a license, he was objected to by this man Purcell because he was ill, but it turned out it was another man altogether who was applying. 1900. Hon. Mr. Fox] Who had held the license for the house before? —Wakeford. 1901. AVhy did he leave the house ? —He got into some trouble about a barmaid, I believe. 1902. Was his license taken away from him ?—lt was cancelled. 1903. Did he apply again for it ? —He applied for it again three or four times. 1904. But did not get it ?—No. 1905. Afterwards that man came down here ?—Tes. 1906. And has got a license for one of the largest houses in town ?—Tes. 1907. Was his license opposed by the police? —Not that I know of. 1908. The Chairman] Did the police oppose him at Foxton? —Tes. 1909. On what ground ?—Something about a barmaid. 1910. Hon. Mr. Fox] For general misconduct of the house ?—Tes. 1911. The Chairman] Do you know why they did not oppose him in Wellington ?—I do not know. I spoke to one of the men up there, and he said he thought Wakeford had been punished enough. I spoke to one of the force down here on the subject, too, because I thought it was very strange. 1912. Hon. Mr. Fox] Tou say the police have great power at Foxton ? Tou mean Purcell, I suppose? —Tes. 1913. Well, what is his position there, or how does he come to have such power ?—He has been there too long. He has been there ten or thirteen years, and is becoming wealthy by buying and selling cattle, and that sort of thing. 1914. Has he a butcher's shop ? —I believe he is interested in the shop. I know he is a cattle dealer : in fact, after I got a license he came to me and wanted me to buy horses of him. 1915. Tou think he has been there too long?—I should think he had ; but for that I should never have left the place. It is quite disheartening to be frustrated at every step. 1916. In what way can a policeman exercise his power so as to injure other people? Is not his business simply to put warrants in force, and to serve summonses against parties who break the law ? How can he so injure people as to compel them to leave the district ? —lf he goes into your house and see 3 anything going on and says, " Tou must stop that," and at the same time allows people to play cards, &c, in another house till all hours in the morning, it is time to get away from the place. 1917. Do you know that sort of thing went on ?—I know for a fact that it was done, and that he has taken part in it. I have seen him in the house at all hours. 1918. Hon. Mr. Fox] And there was drinking going on ? —Tes. 1919. And card-playing ? —I do not play cards myself. 1920. Tou know he has been there, and that cards have been played ?—Tes. Mr. G. E. Barton, M.H.R., being duly sworn, said, — The statement I wish to make is this: Last night Mrs. Howe, a witness who has been examined before the Committee, called upon me and said that, in the evidence she had given before the Committee, she had concealed a good deal through fear, and that she is desirous of being called again. 1920 a. The Chairman] She has been here a second time, and rather toned down the evidence she had given on the first occasion ?—Well, this occurred last evening. She said she felt so strongly about it that it was her intention to go to Sir George Grey and try to get him to interfere. 1921. The Chairman] To interfere about what?— About these police matters —I presume she meant about Foxton. She said, also, that the reason why she had kept back portion of her evidence was that the police were now dealing very favourably with her son's house, and bad given her to understand that for the future she would have no reason to complain in any way. I may add that other witnesses have sent to me to say that they would now give much stronger evidence if the Committee would recall them. Coleman is one,