LVII

H.—2

Enforcing of licensing-laws:—Edward Mackay, sergeant of police, Ohristchurch, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint:—S. Maitland Kelso, mounted constable, Ghristchurch, attended, and, being reminded he was still on his former oath, gave further evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint: —James Gantley, police constable, Christchurch (for whom Mr. Philip Kippenberger, solicitor, appeared), attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Failure of police to enforce licensing-laws : —Charles Henry Pratt, constable, Christchurch, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter; Prank Thompson, house and land agent, Christchurch, and Alfred Thomas Hoddinott, machinist, Christchurch, attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. During the hearing of the evidence of the last two witnesses reference was made to a number of people frequenting the Tattersall's Hotel on a Sunday. Word was sent to the licensee (Mrs. Conway) that if she so desired she might produce evidence. Desiring to do so, Charles Ross, head stableman, Delamain's Stables, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At this stage Mr. Cresswell, solicitor, attended as solicitor for Mrs. Conway, and desired a postponement of further evidence till to-morrow, which was granted. Failure of the police to enforce licensing-laws, and general efficiency of the force :-—The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter: James Armishaw, kilnman, Tonks's Brickyard, Wellington; Emma Gordon, spinster, St. Albans, Christchurch; Jane Eoberts, spinster, Linwood; Christina Caverhill, spinster' Linwood ; Harriet Field, wife of John Field, Lower High Street; John Connell, police-constable', Lyttelton. At 5.30 the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow.

Fbiday, 22nd April, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.E., were in attendance. Alleged Sunday trading at the Tattersall's Hotel, Christchurch :—Mr. Cresswell, solicitor, Christchurch,, attended as solicitor for Mrs. Conway, the licensee. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter viz James Meade Conway, son of the licensee; Leith Carter, clerk, Christchurch; William James Hussey, coach-driver, Christchurch; Jane Sophia Francis Conway, widow, licensee; Charles Rose, stableman, Chrisfcchurch (recalled); Helen Cockayne, boardinghouse-keeper, Christchurch; Phcebe Conway, spinster, Victoria Conway, spinster (daughters of the licensee, Tattersall's Hotel) ; Edward Mackay, sergeant of police, Christchurch ;J. Meade Conway (recalled); Mary O'Neill, 'domestic servant, Tattersall's Hotel. Alleged Sunday trading :—George William Pearce, licensee, Railway Hotel, Christchurch, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Charles Armstrong, blacksmith, Christchureh, attended, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Mrs. Schulthies, licensee, White Swan Hotel, Christchurch, and Mr, Marshall, licensee, Royal George Hotel, Christchurch, attended. Mr. Tunbridge understanding that the witnesses would object to answer questions which might criminate them, they were not examined. Charges of general inefficiency of the Police Force :—Mr. P. Kippenberger, solicitor, Christchurch, appeared for Constables Barrett and McKenzie. Thomas Barrett, police-constable, Christchurch, and Donald McKenzie, police-constable, Christchurch, attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, whicli was taken down by the reporter. James Stewart, hotel servant, attended! was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Failure of the police to enforce the licensing-laws :—The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter: Joseph Knott, traveller' Christchurch; Frederick Eobson, bootmaker, Christchurch; Albert Turner, tinsmith, Rangiora' Henry George Ell, salesman, Spreydon, Christchurch. At 5 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 o'clock.

Satubday, 23bd Apbil, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., were in attendance. Henry George Ell, being reminded he was still on his former oath, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Suggestions : Constable David Jackson, Eangiora, and Maurice Roche, constable, Amberlev, attended, were sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Political interference :—The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., Maurice Roche, constable, Amberlev ; David Jackson' constable, Rangiora ; Frank White, silversmith, Christchurch.