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89. They have free quarters, and are provided with free fuel and light, and they mess at the station? —Yes. Of course, they pay for their mess. Married men have to pay house-rent, which is very high here; and they have in many instances to live long distances from the station, which, in my opinion, detracts from their efficiency. They have to travel a long way in the morning, for instance, and be at their work at 5 o'clock. I know one sergeant here who had to walk two miles, I think it was. 90. In order to get a suitable house at a moderate rental they have to live a long way from the station ? —Yes; that is so. 91. That is, you think, a very great disadvantage?— Yes. I think also it is a disadvantage to the Force generally and the public that the members of the Force are not all together. 92. You think the efficiency of the Force is affected by their not being together ? —No doubt of it. 93. What remedy do you suggest ?—Well, if it were possible, they ought to be provided with house-accommodation at some convenient place. They should be provided with cottages. 94. Do you suggest cottages near the station? —Cottages near the station, given to the men at a reasonable rent. 95. You think, under the circumstances connected with this station, the men ought to be provided with cottages?—l think in a city like this the men ought to be all together. Of course, they would be charged a reasonable rent for their cottages. 96. Is there any other respect in which you consider married men are at a disadvantage ? — No; I think not, Sir. Ido not know anything else. 97. Then, I understand you to have expressed two opinions: first, that there ought to be a depot for training recruits; and, secondly, there ought to be cottage-accommodation for married men in the vicinity of the station ?—lt is so important a matter that I think it would be worth the while of the State to provide cottages, and make the men pay a reasonable rent. 98. Colonel Pitt.] You say the married men should be charged rent. Why should they be charged rent if the single men get their quarters for nothing ?—Oh, well, all the better if they get their cottages free. 99. Do they get leave to marry?— There is a limit of time. 100. If you give men leave to marry you take the responsibility of that leave? —Mr. Tunbridge has made a rule that they are not to marry till they are twelve months in the Force. I think it is a very good rule. 101. You are not prepared to express the opinion that, when free cottages are provided, free quarters should be given to the married men as well as the single men ?—Well, I should be very glad to see it, but I am afraid there is no chance of getting it. 102. If it could be done you would support it? —If it could be done. 103. You think it would be an advantage to the Force ? —No doubt it would. 104. The Chairman.] Do you think married constables are as good and efficient as single constables ?—They are. 105. Undoubtedly?—No doubt about it. 106. Do you go so far as to say that one class is better than the other ?—Perhaps the married men are more settled and steadier. 108. You say the married men are quite as efficient, and probably steadier?— Probably steadier; yes. 109. Do you think one central depot for training in the colony would be sufficient ?—Well, I think so, till the Force increases. 110. With present facilities they could easily be brought to the one depot, and it would be on the whole cheaper?— Yes ; but the Commissioner would be able to. give you better information on that head than I can. In my opinion you cannot expect an efficient Police Force in the absence of a depot —utterly impossible, in my opinion—that is, to have thoroughly efficient men, as they ought to be; and there should be pensions. 111. Colonel Pitt.] Pensions are provided for ? —No, they are not. 112. Oh, yes ; the Governor, according to the regulations, can grant pensions. [Eegulation read by Colonel Pitt.] 113. Mr. Poynton.] That is dependent on the bounty of the Governor; but Mr. Pender thinks there should be some regular system of pensions—something for a man to look forward to. Is that not so? —Yes ; something for a man to look forward to, so that a man can leave when his time is up with something to live upon. 114. You think there should be some regular system of pensions ?—Yes. I think there are pensions in all the other colonies except Tasmania. I believe, too, wives get pensions after the husbands die. 115. The Chairman.] Is there any other suggestion you have to make to us?—l know of nothing in particular. 116. Colonel Pitt.] What is your age, Mr. Pender ?—I am seventy years' old. 117. In any of the police systems you have spoken of in the other colonies is there any agelimit at which an officer must retire ?—I think not for the officers. 118. Or the constables?—l do not know at present. I think there is for the constables and non-commissioned officers. 119. What is it ? —I know a man a superintendent, who has been close on fifty years in the Force in Victoria. 120. Under the regulations is there any age-limit?— Not for the officers. 121. Do you think there is for the men?— Yes. 122. What is it ?—Sixty years, I think.