H—2

LXXIV

Colonel Hume, Mr. Tunbridge, Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.8., and the Eev. F. W. Isitt were in attendance. General efficiency of the Force : —The following witnesses attended, and, each being sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter—viz., Henry J. Ohecketts (recalled), Roderick McKenzie, M.H.E., Henry J. Checketts (recalled), the Hon. William Kelly, M.L.C., Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, and John Bennett Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police. Production of papers :—Arthur Hume, ex-Commissioner of Police, attended, and produced papers referring to the following matters : Constable Walter Bond Young, Constable W. J. Eist, Constable William Patrick Patton, Constable Michael Cox, Constable S. M. Kelso, and, being sworn, gave evidence thereon, which was taken down by the reporter. At 5.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned until to-morrow, at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Saturday, 2nd July, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell, Poynton, and Colonel Pitt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence:—The following communication was received from the Eight Hon. the "Pypvn i rt* * Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1898. Memobandum for the Chaibman, Police Commission. , Refebeing to the request preferred by the Commissioners, asking the Premier to name a time when it would be convenient for him to be examined, the Premier begs to say that, having carefully considered the position, he has come to the conclusion it would be inexpedient—if not unconstitutional—that he should attend before the Commissioners for such a purpose. , '. The Commission was appointed by His Excellency the Governor upon the Premier s advice, and when the Commissioners have made their report it will again be his duty to tender advice to the Governor. This being so the Premier thinks he ought not «fco submit himself for examination, and commit himself to opinions which might prejudice his future action, or tend to diminish his responsibility to Parliament. This seems the more obvious at the present time when Parliament is in session. . With regard to the list of matters which accompanies the above request, the Premier suggests that the departmental records will possibly afford the Commissioners all the information they desire, or that the same may be obtained from other sources. R - J - Seddon. The following communication was received from the Hon. the Minister of Justice : — Memoeandum for the Chaieman, Police Commission. , ~. . , T .- „ •, T i ,»» Office of the Minister of Justice, 2nd July, 1898. Refebbing to your communication re my appearing for examination, I beg to refer you to the Premier's memorandum of the Ist July and to state that I am also of opinion that I ought not to submit myself for examination, and commit myself to opinions which might prejudice my future action, or tend to diminish my responsibility to Parliament This seems the more obvious at the present time when Parliament is in session. With regard to the list of matters which accompanies the above request, I would suggest that tne departmental records will possibly afford the Commissioners all the information they desire, or that the same may be obtained from other sources. T - Thompson. The Commissioners sent for Mr. T. B. Taylor, M.H.R., who had desired the attendance of the Premier and Hon. Mr. Thompson, and, upon "Mr. Taylor attending, the Chairman informed him of the receipt of the two foregoing memoranda, and the contents thereof. The following memorandum was sent to the Eight Hon. the Premier: — Mbmobandum for the Right Hon. the Pbbmieb. I hate the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the Ist instant, referring to our reauest that you would name a time convenient for you to attend the Commission to be examined on certain matters by Mr Taylor M.H.R., and to inform you that on its contents being communicated to that gentleman he announced hie intention of bringing the matter before the House on a question of privilege on Tuesday next. 4th July 1898. H - s - Waedkll, Chairman, Police Commission. General efficiency of the Force : Thomas Oahill, M.D., Wellington, attended, and, being sworn, wave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. ° At 1.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10.30 o'clock a.m. on Monday next.

Monday, 4th July, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell and Poynton. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Colonel Pitt having to proceed to Nelson, it was arranged that he should draft certain portions of the report, and transmit same to the other Commissioners at Wellington for perusal and aPPr T V he Commissioners were engaged during the whole of the day perusing documents and drafting At 5.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, sth July, 1898. The Commission sat at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present: Messrs. Wardell and Poynton. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.