LII

H.—2

Satubday, 2nd Apeil, 1898. The Commission sat at 9.15 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell and Poynton. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. The Chairman announced that Colonel Pitt would be absent from the Commission for a lew days, as he had to proceed to Westport in connection with the Easter Encampment of Volunteers, and at its conclusion would rejoin the Commission. Sale of liquor within the Clutha District :—The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., Boberfc Hislop, Stationmaster, Clinton John Bamage, tinsmith, Balclutha. During the evidence of this witness the Commission interposed as it related to a charge against Constable Christie, of which no notice was given, and the farther evidence of the witness was adjourned. William Mathieson, mounted constable, Tapanui- Thomas Griffith, constable, Balclutha; Alfred Edward Bemer, constable, Clinton; Daniel Stewart, solicitor, Balclutha ; James Thomson, Balelutha ; William Moir farm-labourer, Balclutha; George Thomson, J.P., dealer, Balclutha; and James Henry, bootmaker, Balclutha, It was arranged that any remaining evidence be taken at Dunedm. The Commission, at 4 p.m., adjourned till Monday next at 10 o'clock a.m., at the Corporation Buildings, Dunedin.

DUNEDIN. Monday, 4th Apbil, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell and Poynton. The minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Complaint of Mr. T. E. Taylor:—Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., handed in the following complaint • " That Constable Christie, of Mosgiel, did, whilst in charge of Balclutha, collect moneys for various people, and engage in duties for profit outside of his legal duties, and neglected to protect citizens from injuries." Complaint:—James Pratt, constable, Clyde, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint :— Thomas Griffith, constable, Balclutha, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. General efficiency of the Force :—The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence which was taken down by the reporter, viz. : David Latimer, police-constable, Dunedm; Owen McCormack, police-constable, Dunedin; Jeremiah Toomey, police-constable, Dunedin ; Patrick O'Neill, sergeant of police, Dunedin; Sergeant John Bell, district clerk, Dunedin; and William John Quinn, police-constable, Dunedin. At 9.45 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, sth Apeil, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock. Present: Messrs. Wardell and Poynton. The minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.8., were in attendance. Complaint of Mr. Taylor—suppression of houses of ill-fame: — The following witnesses attended and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter: John Frederick Woodhouse, solicitor, Dunedin; William Asher, house and estate agent, Dunedin; William Stone Pardy, Inspector of Police ; and Bight Bey. Bishop Neville. Sale of liquor within the Clutha District :— John Dunne, J. P., farmer, Balclutha, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Application of Constable Parker, Waimate :—William Stone Pardy, Inspector of Police, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint:—Sergeant Brown, of South Dunedm, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken clown by the reporter. Colonel Hume attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Charge against Constable Christie : —Mr. D. D. Macdonald, solicitor, Dunedin, appeared for Constable°Christie. The following witnesses attended, and each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter: William E. BurSey, cabinet-maker, Balclutha; Frederick Mills, bootmaker, Balclutha; James William Mitchell, tailor, Balclutha; Michael Bernstone, tailor, Balclutha; James Henry, bootmaker, Balclutha; and Alexander Burnett Henderson, builder, Balclutha. ~.,,. , , During the examination of this witness Mr. Taylor handed in the following further charge against Constable Christie : " That about the beginning of 1893, or thereabouts, Constable Christie did carry on the railway from Balclutha, in a passenger-car, contrary to the regulations, the dead body of a child, thereby defrauding the revenue. —T. E, Taylob,."