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151. It would not be better to have more than the Commissioner?—l do not think so. County Inspectors in Ireland take the men on, and send them up to Dublin to be drilled. The Commissioner in Melbourne takes the men on. The Inspector-General of Prisons in my time took the men on. 152. Do you think it would be better to select from the whole body of the population? Would you not be more likely to .get better material in that way than if it were limited to the Artillery ?— Well, I do. I think a better selection, at all events, could be made from the community. There are no better men for policemen that farmers' sons. 153. Are the Irish Constabulary recruited in a large measure from farmers' sons? —Yes, nearly the whole of them. I believe a number of the London police come from the country. 154. Colonel Pitt.] And do you think a farmer's son, with a fair education, with training at a depot-—selected by the Commissioner owing to physical and mental powers—-would turn out a first-class policeman ?—I think so. In my experience, farmers' sons—men from the country— have been the best men. 155. Mr. Poynton.] Do you know anything about the failure of the police to enforce the laws? Can you state whether the police have failed to enforce the laws, or whether the laws require amendment—if so, in what particular direction—l allude, of course, to the licensing laws ?—Well, the police are generally blamed—but I think unfairly, unjustly blamed—for not enforcing the licensing laws. It is a most difficult thing, most difficult. No doubt the members of the Commission know better than I can tell them how difficult it is to enforce the licensing laws. The difficulties are only known to those who have to do the work. 156. Do you think an amendment of the licensing laws would assist the police ? —There is one particular point I think would help, and probably put an end to a great deal: that is, fine every man found in a public-house. 157. To make our law similar to the English law? —Yes. 158. That would assist the police to prevent illicit trading?—l think it would help to prevent illicit trading. I believe the respectable hotelkeepers would be only too glad to fall in with that. 159. I suppose you are aware a large amount of illicit trading is supposed to be going on, which the police are powerless to prevent, owing to the condition of the law ?—There is no doubt there is some. 160. You think an amendment of the licensing law in the direction you have indicated would assist the police, and, as you say, put an end to it ?—Yes, probably put an end to it. Keep a book with a list of the boarders and travellers. 161. That would also apply to sly-grog selling? You would apply that to cases where men purchased liquor ?—I do not see why it should not. 162. The Chairman.] I do not quite understand you. How would you apply it in those cases ?—Well, of course they would have to find grog on the premises. 163. Well, suppose a man is living at a country lodging-house, and the proprietor is prosecuted for sly-grog selling,, is that lodger or anybody in the house to be liable to a penalty ? Is that what you suggest ?—No. If a number of strangers were found at a boarding-house I do not see why they should not be liable. 164. Mr. Poynton.] Do you mean to say any person purchasing liquor from a person without a license ?—Yes. 165. Do you know of any other breach of the law in which the police have failed through a defect in the law or some other reason ? What about gambling ?—That is a very difficult thing to control and manage. 166. Do you think the law should be amended in any particular direction ?—I know Mr. Tunbridge has been considering the matter ever since he came, and has been working at it. 167. Colonel Hume.] When you were appointed Inspector you were appointed third-class Inspector. Was that an advantage or a disadvantage to you ?—Well, it was not an advantage. 168. Will you explain to the Commissioners how it was a disadvantage ? —Other men who were in charge a long time after me got to the first class, and had a salary of £400 a year. I remained, I think, for four years at £350. I lost £50 a year for four years, I think it was. Then, when the General Government took over the Force those who were under no classification were taken on as first-class Inspectors. 169. In those days the recruits were taken from the general population?— Yes, Sir. A number of men came from the other colonies—from London and from Ireland. 170. Do you know who appointed them ? —The Commissioner. 171. Did that system work well?— Yes ; worked very well all the time I was there. 172. Then, you were at Home recently, were you not ?—Yes, in England and Ireland. 173. Did you go into the subject of this lecturing there?—l did. I went through the depot in Dublin. 174. And I understand they place great importance on this lecturing ?■—Drill is only a secondary consideration compared with the lecturing and the instruction. Any one that understands police work, I think, will agree that instruction is the main thing—having a proper place to keep the men for instruction for some time. 175. Do you know whether they put more importance on this lecturing business than they do on the examination ?—Well, as to examinations, no man is allowed to leave until he has passed the examination. 176. Examination on those matters on which they have been lectured?— Yes, on police matters. 177. Then, a local Inspector had power to transfer the men in his own district ?—Yes. 178. How did that system work ?—Well, I thought it worked very well. Of course, it was all subject to the approval of the Commissioner.