LXV

H.—2.

dence of Constable Philpott (Charleston), Constable Harris (Westport), Constable McGlone (Reefton), Constable McClelland (Christchurch), Constable John Jeffries (Nelson), Constable Bennett, on complaint of Henry Niekless, and Constable Mathieson (Tapanui). The Commission at 12 o'clock noon adjourned until 10.30 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday next, at Napier.

NAPIEE. Wednesday, 25th May, 1898. The Commisson opened its proceedings for public business on Wednesday, 25th May, 1898, at 10.30 o'clock a.m., at the Courthouse. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the preceding meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., were in attendance. Complaint of Mr. Taylor against Inspector Emerson: —Mr. Taylor handed in the following amended charge : " That on or about the following dates Inspector Emerson was in a state of drunkenness : May 2nd, 1896, at Gisborne ; July 6th,, 1897, at Gisborne ; January 7th, 1898, at Napier; that since he has been in charge of the Hawke's Bay District he has been of intemperate habits and addicted to gambling ; and that his conduct in these respects has been destructive of discipline and injurious to the public interests." General Efficiency of the Force : —John Emerson, Inspector of Police, Napier, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 2 o'clock p.m. the Commission inspected the Police quarters. The men were drawn up on parade, and addressed by the Chairman. The official books in use were afterwards examined. Complaint : —Thomas John O'Brien, constable, Napier, 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.: Thomas John O'Brien, constable, Napier; Eudolf Blofield Matthias, Clerk of the Court, Napier; John Emerson (recalled); Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, Wellington. At 4.45 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10.30 o'clock to-morrow.

Thursday, 26th May, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., were in attendance. Mr. Taylor, M.H.R., lodged the following complaint : —" That Inspector Emerson has neglected to enforce the Gaming and Lotteries Act; and on occasion shown open sympathy with those opposed, as in prosecution of Eobinson and others." Escape of — Gower from Woodville: —John Emerson, Inspector of Police, attended, was sworn and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. General Efficiency of the Force : —John Bennett Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Taylor's complaint against Inspector Emerson : —Mr. Cresswell, solicitor, appeared for Inspector Emerson. The following witnesses attended, and each being sworn gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter, viz : Thomas Hopper Hustwick, Inspector under the Licensing Act; Jane Sheen, widow, licensed victualler, Gisborue; Herbert Roscoe, stoker, Holt's timber-mills; Isabella Eoscoe, wife of the said Herbert Eoscoe; Ellen Barney, domestic servant, Napier ; Hetty Eoscoe, spinster, Napier; John Hodgson Aislabie, commission agent, and secretary Poverty Bay Turf Club, Gisborne; James Price, stablekeeper, Gisborne ; Edward Pattricks Joyce, commission agent, Gisborne ; James Craig, confectioner, Gisborne; and Arthur Francis Bridges, ex-licensed victualler, Gisborne. During the examination of Mr. Hustwick, Mr. Cresswell raised the question whether Inspector Emerson's conduct on the 2nd May last could be inquired into by the Commission, as matters occuring on that date had already been inquired into before Mr. Kenny's Commission. After hearing Mr. Taylor, and consultation by the Commission, the Chairman stated that the opinion of the majority of the Commission, from which he dissented, was that the condition of Inspector Emerson on the 2nd May had already been inquired into by Mr. Kenny, S.M., under his Commission, and could not therefore be gone into by the present Commission. The Chairman dissenting on the ground that Mr. Kenny's Commission only referred to Inspector Emerson's condition when he Went on board the " Dingadee," and not prior thereto. At 5.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned until to-morrow at 10 o'clock a.m.