11.—2

LXX

The following complaint, lodged by the Bey. F. W. Isitt, was taken into consideration: — The Chairman of the Police Commission, sitting in Auckland: Sik,—l, the undersigned, lay the following charge against the Police Department that it may be inquired into at your sessions in Auckland : — 1. That the efficiency of the Police Force has been seriously impaired, to the detriment of the public interests, 'by the exercise of outside influence which has been brought to bear upon it, especially by influence of a political character. 2. That the licensing-laws, and those laws which relate to gaming, have not been strictly enforced ; and that the laws under which the sale of intoxicating liquors in the King-country and other Native districts is prohibited have been administered with special laxity. Pbank W. Isitt. James Hickson, Inspector of Police, Auckland, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of ex-Sergeant McMahon : —The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., James Hickson, Inspector of Police, Auckland ; Patrick Grean, constable, Auckland ; and John Bennett Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police. Complaint of the Eev. F. W. Isitt:—The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., Eev. William Gittos, Wesleyan minister of religion, Auckland; Hami Kingi, Wesleyan minister of religion, Kopua, Waikato (the Eev. William Gittos was sworn in as interpreter); John Edward Taylor, settler, Mangere, and member of District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board; and Charles Stanyer, constable, Otorohanga. At 5.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 14th June, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Eev. F. W. Isitt were in attendance. Complaint of Eev. Mr. Isitt: —The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., William Jones, constable, Te Awamutu ; John Cavanagh, constable, Ngaruawahia; Frank Souter Malcolm, outfitter, Auckland; David Goldie, timber merchant, Auckland; John Watson Forbes, constable, Te Aroha; Edward William Sharman, medical practitioner, Auckland; Arthur Cleave, proprietor, Sporting Review and Licensed Victuallers' Gazette ; Eev. William Henry Wilson, Church of England clergyman, Paeroa; Laurence Carroll, constable, Kihikihi; John Henry Upton, bookseller, Auckland; John William Ellis, J. P., sheep-farmer, Otorohanga; Patrick Macdonnell, J. P., storekeeper, Otorohanga; Alexander Eose, Collector of Customs, Auckland; and Arthur Myers, brewer and wine and spirit merchant, Auckland. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow.

Wednesday, 15th June, 1898. The Commission met at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Eev. F. W. Isitt were in attendance. Correction of evidence (general efficiency of the Force) : —James Hickson, Inspector of Police, Auckland, attended, and, being reminded he was still on his former oath, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint: —Charles Thomas Dunne, of Katikati, attended, was sworn, and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of John Dean against Sergeant Greene : —Frederick Neave, labourer, Opitonui, near Coromandel, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Complaint of Eev. F. W. Isitt: —The following witnesses attended, and, each bein" sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., Eev. George McMurray, Auckland; Eev. William Beatty, Auckland ; the Eev. William Eugene Gil]am, Ellerslie, Episcopalian clergyman ; George Thomas Wilkinson, Government Native Agent and Land-purchase Officer, Otorohanga ; Charles James Johnston, J. P., Otorohanga; John William Ellis, J.P. ; John Edward settler, Mangere ; and Herbert William Brabant, S.M., Auckland. Case of Constable Gillespie : —Herbert William Brabant, S.M., Auckland, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow.

Thuksday, 16th June, 1898. The Commission sat at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, and Eev. F. W. Isitt were in attendance.