XLIV

H.—2

Colonel Arthur Hume, the late Commissioner of Police, attended, and asked permission to read a letter he had addressed to the Hon. the Minister of Justice, asking that he might be allowed to attend the sittings of the Commission and cross-examine witnesses, and if necessary, call evidence Colonel Hume asked the Commissioners to grant their permission to his being present, and cross-examine witnesses and call evidence if necessary. The Commissioners resolved that the necessary permission be granted to Colonel Hume, as reqU Du e ring the afternoon the Commission sat at the office of the Commissioner of Police, and Mr. Tunbndge d P e 1 i ® S ™ g t pector of p olice; atte nded, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5.30 the Commission adjourned until to-morrow at IO.dU a.m.

Tuesday, 15th Februaby, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present; Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. # Resolved on the motion of Colonel Pitt, That the advertisement sent to the_ newspapers in the City of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin be inserted in three issues of the newsPape john Evans, senior clerk, Commissioners' office, Police Department, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. ~ , , During Mr. Evans's examination Mr. T. E. Taylor, of Christchurch, M HE. attended, and stated that, as he had made charges against the administration, he should be allowed to ask questions ; and the Commissioners thereupon agreed to Mr. Taylor s request, and he was permitted t0 C ToTo 6 neTHu e me called as the next witness, and, as Mr. Taylor desired to be present, and expressed a wish that the evidence of Colonel Hume would not be commenced till to-morrow, the Commission adjourned at 1 p.m. till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Wednesday, 16th Febeuaey, 1898. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Colonel Hume, Inspector of Prisons and late Commissioner of Police, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned till to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Thursday, 17th Febeuaby, 1898. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Colonel Arthur Hume continued his evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned till to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Feiday, 18th Febeuaey, 1898. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Arthur Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Colonel Arthur Hume continued his evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr Taylor intimated that it was necessary for him to return to Christchurch by to-day s steamer, but that he would meet the Commission on a subsequent date, and would then desire to continue his cross-examination of Colonel Hume. At 4.30 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned till to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Satueday, 19th Febeuaey, 1898. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Commissioners were engaged during the day perusing official documents and exhibits. At 1 p m the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday next, 21st February instant.

Monday, 21st Febeuaey, 1898. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present : Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt.