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Captain Hutchinson's, Crawford Street, was left open during the night. Reprimanded, and if it had not been for the constable's previous good conduct he would be reduced in the service." On the 23rd April, 1875, "Contravening the regulations of the Force by allowing a stranger into the barracks and drinking with the stranger. Severely reprimanded." On the 17th June, 1875, " Neglecting to deliver a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, handed to him by a messenger of the Eesident Magistrate's Court on the 15th June, 1875. Cautioned." On the 20th February, 1881, "Neglect of duty, and insolence to Michael Moriarty. Reprimanded." On the 2nd December, 1881, " Misconduct as a member of the Force, in George Street, Dunedin, by endeavouring to annoy and bring John Dupree into public contempt. Case not proved." He has only got one entry in his merit-sheet—viz., medal for long service and good conduct. 195. Have you any complaints from his Dunedin Inspector as to his habits of sobriety ?—No. 196. Had you none when it was proposed to send him down there again from Mount Cook ?— No, most certainly not. 197. Have you had no complaints from the Inspector at Dunedin in regard to the man's neglect of duty ? —If it was proved it would be on record, in the defaulter's sheet. 198. Do all the offences of policemen get on to their defaulters' sheets?—lf they are punished they do. 199. Suppose he was generally incapable; would that get on the defaulter's sheet ?—No. 200. Has he ever been the subject of special discussion between yourself and his Inspectors?— I really cannot say. I told you he did not give satisfaction at Mount Cook Station, and I probably spoke to Inspector Pender on the subject. 201. Do you recollect having a similar discussion with the Inspector at Dunedin?—l do not remember. He has different duties altogether to perform in Dunedin. 202. Mr. Tunbridge.] While you were Commissioner you passed Shirley over for promotion ? —Yes. 203. You were not satisfied with his conduct, and you passed him over ?—Yes, and explained to the Minister why. 204. As a matter of fact he has been in his present rank since the Ist May, 1884 ?—Yes, as a second-class sergeant. 205. Mr. Taylor.] Have you the papers of Constable O'Rourke, who was promoted, but was not gazetted as he should have been ?—Yes. I should like to refer to that gazetting once more. I do not think I have ever yet explained to the Commissioners that I am responsible, and, of course, take the responsibility, for what passed in the office; but there is no doubt the omission referred to by Mr. Taylor happened in this way: A large batch of promotions was made at the time, and there were only two special men amongst them. The clerk naturally did not notice these two special men, and consequently, when he gazetted them, he gazetted them in the batch. That is to say, they were in the Gazette, but were not specially mentioned, as they ought to have been, according to this paragraph. 206. I should like to ask when O'Rourke was ordered for removal from Otaki ?—He is at Otaki still. 207. When was he ordered for removal from Otaki to Stafford ?—lt was some time in December, 1890. 208. Who would be Defence Minister then ?—Captain Russell. 209. Did he leave Otaki?—Yes. 210. What were his movements? —He went to Stafford. There is a telegram signed by me, I was in Auckland at the time, to the clerk in charge of the office at Wellington, as follows : " Constable O'Rourke should have gone to the West Coast long ago, but if his wife's confinement is so near, he can remain at Otaki for seven days from to-day, and then must at once start for West Coast. —A. Hume, Auckland." It seems that Acting-sergeant Hannan had arrived at Otaki, and complained that there were no quarters, as the following telegram will show : " Constable O'Rourke, Otaki. —Acting-sergeant Hannan complains by wire that he cannot obtain possession of police quarters, and must keep his family at hotel. If Mrs. O'Rourke is not too ill to remove, try and remove her into another cottage before you leave to-morrow morning. If this cannot be done, assist Hannan to secure a cottage till your wife is able to travel. Should neither course be adopted, department may charge you with his hotel-expenses.— J. Bell Thomson, Inspector." 211. As a matter of fact, did he vacate the police premises at all?— Mr. Thomson reports, on the 27th January, 1891, in reference to Sergeant Hannan's complaint : " Forwarded for the information of the Commissioner, with the request that I may be instructed as to the best course to pursue in the present difficulty re the Otaki police quarters. Constable O'Rourke, on the day of his departure for the West Coast, assured me positively that, on the day before leaving Otaki, he was getting his wife up for the purpose of removing her from the police-station, if possible, when she fainted with pain and fell back on the bed, and he was reluctantly compelled to forego his intention of removing her then. There is at present but one cottage in Ofcaki that can be rented, and that has only three rooms.— J. Bell Thomson, Inspector." I minuted that back to Inspector Thomson as follows : " Constable O'Rourke has had ample time to have vacated his quarters long ago, and therefore I think the incoming constable has a fair cause for complaint, and he should be allowed to occupy the station forthwith. Of course, if Mrs. O'Rourke is unfit to move, Constable Hannan will have to remain at an hotel." 212. Did Sergeant Hannan do duty at all in Otaki ?—Yes. 213. Did he get possession of the station premises ?—I wrote to Mr. Thomson, on the 4th February, 1891, as follows : " The Hon. the Minister of Defence requests you will proceed to Otaki to-morrow and ascertain the condition of Mrs. O'Rourke, and, if she is fit to be removed, will see that she at once moves either into the hotel or the three-roomed cottage, and hand over the station to the acting-sergeant." On the Inspector's report I wrote the following minute to him : " There