H.—__

LXII

WESTPOET. Saturday, 7th May, 1898. The Commission sat at the Courthouse, Westport, on Saturday, 7th May, at 8 o'clock p.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Prior to the opening of the proceedings the Commission inspected the local Force and the quarters. The men were examined, and addressed by the Chairman, and the official books in use examined. The minutes or the previous meeting were read and confirmed. General efficiency of the Force : —Henry Green, sergeant of police, in charge of police at Westport, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaints of Constables McDonnell and Brophy re entries in their defaulter's sheet : Mr. Harden, solicitor, appeared for the constables. After Mr. Harden had addressed the Commission, it was decided that the Commission should examine the papers in connection with the entries upon their arrival in Wellington, and to examine Inspector McGovern at New Plymouth. Complaint:—Edward Brophy, constable, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Colonel Hume and George Henry Harris, constable, Westport, attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint:—Thomas Philpotts, constable, Charleston, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint:—George Henry Harris, constable, Westport, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. There being no further evidence forthcoming, the Commission closed its sittings at Westport, and adjourned till Tuesday next, at 10 o'clock a.m., at Nelson.

NELSON. Thubsday, 12th May, 1898. The Commission opened its proceedings for public business at the Court-house, Nelson, on Thursday, 12th May, 1898, at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, arid Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. The Commission intended to open at Nelson on Tuesday, the 10th May, 1898, but in consequence of being delayed by heavy weather, and the roads being washed away, the opening of the proceedings was delayed till to-day. Prior to the opening of the proceedings the Commission inspected the police quarters and the men on parade, and the books were examined. General efficiency of the Force : —Henry McArdle, sergeant of police, Nelson, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Suggestions : —Robert Kelly, mounted constable, Nelson, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of Constable John Cnllinane : —Mr. A. Maginnity, solicitor, appeared for Cullinane. John Cullinane, constable, Nelson, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Henry McArdle, sergeant of police, Nelson, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Colonel Hume attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Charge against Sergeant Haunan of purchasing an hotel:—Kate Conway, spinster, Nelson, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5 o'clock p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow,

Friday, 13th May, 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 and Mr. Tunbridge were in attendance. Complaint of Constable John Jeffries:—Mr. Samuel Perth McNab, solicitor, appearedfor Constable Jeffries. The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz.: Hugh Calders, chief postmaster, Nelson; Henry McArdle, sergeant of police, Nelson; John Bennett Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police, Wellington. The further hearing of the complaint was adjourned until to-morrow, at the sittings of the Commission at Blenheim. There being no further evidence forthcoming, the proceedings of the Commission at Nelson were closed, and the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, the 14th May, 1898, at XI o'clock a.m., at Blenheim.