H.—2

LXI

Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, aud confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. General efficiency of the Force, and suggestions : —The following witnesses attended, and, each beino- sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz: Alexander McDonald, sergeant of police, Hokitika; Daniel Hannan, sergeant of police, Stafford Town ; Michael Joseph Wildermoth, constable, Hokitika. Complaint of Mr. B. Taminelli, sawmiller, Kanieri, against Constable Stewart and other officers of the Police Force :—Mr. Beard, solicitor, appeared for Constable Stewart. Buffino Taminelli, sawmiller, Kanieri, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. George Stewart, constable, Kanieri, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of Mr. Henry Nickless, against Constable Bennett:—Mr. Lewis, solicitor, appeared for Constable Bennett. Henry Nickless, sawyer and wood-turner, Flowery Greek, attended, and made an affirmation in lieu of oath, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr Lewis announced that Constable Bennett would waive his right to the twenty-four hours notice of the complaint. Albert Bennett, constable, Hokitika, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. There being no further evidence forthcoming, the sitting was closed at Hokitika, and the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m., at Greymouth.

GBEYMOUTH. Thursday, sth May, 1898. The Commission opened its proceedings for public business at the Courthouse, Greymouth, on Thursday, the sth May, 1898, at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present; Messrs. "Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. General efficiency of the Force :— John Cullen, Inspector of Police, Westland District, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Charge against Sergeant Hannan, re purchasing Miss Conway's Hotel: —Mr. M. Hannan, solicitor, appeared for Sergeant Hannan. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, "aye evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz. : Alfred Hassall King, District Land Eeo-istrar, Hokitika; Frederick John Simon Charles Henne, hotelkeeper, Staffordtown; Daniel Hannan, sergeant of police, Staffordtown. Frederick John Simon Charles Henne recalled. At 2 o'clock p.m. the Commission visited the police-station. The men were drawn up on parade, and addressed by the Chairman. Afterwards the quarters were inspected, and the official books examined by the Commissioners. Complaint:—Complaint of Eobert Vincent McGlone, constable, Keefton, formerly of Greymouth. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz. : Eobert Vincent McGlone, constable, Eeefton; Michael MeKeefrey, constable, Greyinonth;' Edward Sterling White, sergeant of police, Greymouth; John Tanner, farrier, Greymouth ; Anthony Isemonger, constable and district clerk, Greymouth. At 5.15 the Commission adjourned till to-morrow, at 10 o'clock a.m.

Fbiday, 6th May, 1898. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter : John Cullen, Inspector of Police, Greymouth ; Michael McKeefry, constable, es There being no further evidence tendered, the proceedings of the Commission at Greymouth closed, and the Commission adjourned until 8 o'clock a.m., at Eeefton.

BEEFTON. Fbiday, 6th May, 1898, The Commission sat at the Police Office, Beefton, on Friday, the 6th May, 1898, at 8 o'clock p.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr., Tunbridge was in attendance. w '- !■.■,. The men were drawn up on parade and inspected, and the official books in use at tne station eXar There bein« no complaints to inquire into, and the local Force stating that they had no suggestions to make, the Commissioners adjourned till to-morrow, at 8 o'clock p.m., at Westport.