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336. The Chairman.] I suppose there is more maritime business here than in any other p or t?__Yes; in fact, the sergeant-major at present here does Sub-Inspector's duties in many instances.

Tuesday, 15th Fbbeuaby, 1898. John Evans, examined on oath. 1. The Chairman.] What position do you hold in the service?—l am senior clerk in the Commissioner's Office, Police Department. 2. You are not a member of the Police Force ?—No, Sir. 3. How long have you been in the office ?—I joined the Police Department on the 15th September, 1881 ; I was transferred from the Field Force—the Armed Constabulary—at that time. 4. Are you in charge of the records of the department ? —Yes. 5. Under whose control was the Police Force at the date you joined the department ?—Under Colonel Eeader. 6. As Commissioner ? —Yes. 7. Who were in charge in the various centres ? There was a certain number of Inspectors, I suppose?— Yes. . , 8. There were no higher officers than Inspectors between the Commissioner and Inspectors in 1881 ?—No. 9. How many Inspectors were there ?■—The total number for the whole colony was eleven. 10. Can you give us details of the districts and the number of Inspectors in each ? —There was one Inspector in Auckland, one in Wellington, one in Wanganui, one in Hawke's Bay, one in Dunedin, one in Southland, one in Lake District (Central Otago), one in Christchurch, one in Timaru, one in Westland, and one in Nelson. 11. Colonel Pitt.] None in Taranaki ?—Wanganui includes New Plymouth and Taranaki. 12. There were no Sub-Inspectors? —No. 13. The Chairman.] Who were the officers next in rank below the Inspectors?— The next officer in rank would be the sergeant-major. 14. How was the Force distributed ? What was the total number of men in the Auckland police district', the Wellington district, and so forth?—On the 31st March, 1881, there were in Auckland 15 sergeants, 71 constables, 3 district constables, and 4 detectives; in Wellington, 6 sergeants, 32 constables, and 2 detectives; in Wanganui, 5 sergeants, 22 constables, and 1 detective; in Hawke's Bay, 5 sergeants, 20 constables, and 1 detective; in Dunedin, 12 sergeants, 61 constables, and 4 detectives; in Southland, 3 sergeants, 13 constables, 1 district constable, and 1 detective; in the Lake District, 4 sergeants and 13 constables ; in Christchurch, 9 sergeants, 50 constables, and 2 detectives ; in Timaru, 2 sergeants, 21 constables, and 1 detective ; in Westland, 6 sergeants, 23 constables, and 1 detective; in Nelson, 6 sergeants, 11 constables, 4 district constables, and 1 detective. 15. Now, we have got from you the numerical strength of the Force, and its distribution on the 31st March, 1881?— Yes. 16. Can you tell us how the Force was recruited at that time?—To the best of my belief civilians were enrolled at the depot in Wellington. 17. W 7 as the depot under the control of the Wellington Inspector, or under the control of your office ?— There was an officer in charge. 18. Who was that officer, and what was his rank?—l believe he was an Inspector. 19. Is he included in the number you gave us as in the Force?. —No. 20. Was the depot under the control of the civil Force, or under the control of the Armed Constabulary ?—The Armed Constabulary. 21. Is the Armed Constabulary included in the numerical strength you have given to us?— No. 22. Well, this officer was an Inspector of what? —Of the Armed Constabulary. 23. Do you refer to the Armed Constabulary at Mount Cook?— Yes. 24. The Chairman.] Then, it was not the Police Force Depot; you see we want you to make a distinction between the Armed* Constabulary and the ordinary civil constabulary, unless both were under the same control ? —lt was a distinct Force. The men were subsequently transferred from that to the Police Force. 25. Colonel Pitt.] The Armed Constabulary did police duty, did they not ?—Occasionally. 26. They had to attend Court, and serve and execute warrants, and so forth ?—Not as a rule before they were transferred. 27. They were a military body ? —Yes. 28. The Chairman.] The Commissioner of Police at that time was in charge of the two Forces? —Certainly. 29. That is, the Armed Constabulary was a separate body, but under the control of the Commissioner of Police?— Yes. 30. Now, when these men were recruited at the depot what was done with them there ?— They were drilled. 31. Were they enrolled as members of the Armed Constabulary, or as members of the ordinary Police Force ; and were they included in the numbers you have given us ? —None of the men who were at the depot were included in those numbers. 32. When you speak of men going to the depot, were they recruits for the Armed Constabulary only, or for the ordinary civil police?— They may have been for both. Those taken on for the police were subsequently transferred to the police. 33. Then, they did not belong to the Police Force until they were transferred ?—No,