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441. Are not constables in charge of suburban stations called in for instruction?—l was never called in for instruction. I suppose it would apply to me if I was off; but one of us always relieved the other, and, of course, it would be inconvenient for us to get away. 442. The Chairman.] Have you never got instruction?—As we went along, the sergeant in charge would always tell us what he knew while on duty. 443. For instance, as to powers of arrest, did anybody instruct you in the powers of arrest — what you could arrest for ? —Oh, no ; I had to ask. 444. Mr. Taylor.] Have you got Howard Vincent's book?— Yes. 445. That is the sum total of your instructions ? —There is another book—the Police Eegulations. 446. Do you not think if there were instruction classes, or a central depot for training constables, it would be very much to the advantage of the men ? —Oh, yes. 447. What is your experience so far as the enforcement of the licensing law is concerned : do you find it very difficult to detect breaches of the law ? —Oh, yes ; in fact, I have had some cases that I thought were very clear, and it turned out that they were upset. 448. Have you laid charges against hotelkeepers since you have been in the Force ? —Oh, yes. 449. What is the practice so far as Sunday trading is concerned: do any of the hotelkeepers take special precautions to guard against the police ? —Some of them do. 450. What is the kind of precaution they take ? —Of course, I could not say whether drink is taken when men go in and out. 451. Do they put a watch on the constables ?—That has been the practice at one house I know of myself. 452. What is the rule in this town? Can a constable enter an hotel on his own motion, or must he be in company with a sergeant ?—He can enter on his own motion if he has good grounds for doing so. 453. There is no regulation that a constable must be accompanied by a sergeant when entering hotels ?—No. 454. Is it not a fact that a sergeant and constable are together when visiting hotels ?—There is a reason for that. 455. It is the practice ? —lt is the practice because it is necessary to have a witness. 456. There is a good deal of dissatisfaction amongst the men at having to pay for their uniform ?—Oh, yes. They have to pay for uniform, and when they pay their house-rent they have not much to live upon. 457. As a matter of fact, do not constables complain that they are not allowed house-rent while sergeants are allowed house-rent ? —I think it is very unfair that one class has got it and the other has not. 458. You have no doubt heard a superannuation scheme referred to: do you not think a superannuation scheme would be of immense benefit to the Force?—lt would. 459. It would make men more energetic and more satisfied if they knew there was a superannuation scheme?— Yes. 460. The Chairman.] You say there is training given at headquarters ?—Yes. 461. You were there over eighteen months: did you not get trained in your duties?— There were no lectures then. 462. Colonel Pitt.] Do you think there would be any objection on the part of the members of the Force to have their right to vote at political elections taken away from them ?—Well, they have as much right to a vote as other people. 463. The Chairman.] Do you think their having the right to vote puts them in an unpleasant position at all in politics—do they get mixed up with the parties?—l cannot say that. Ido not think it makes any difference whatever. For myself I have not asked a member in this town for anything. 464. The candidates ask you for your votes ? —No; not personally. 465. We have two in the field now. Have either applied to you for a vote ?—Not personally, 466. Mr. Taylor.] You are quite clear you did not see any one but Mr. Duncan ?-—I wrote to Mr. Duncan. 467. Yes ; but you did not see any Minister about this matter ?—Quite positive. 468. Inspector Fender.] You say I brought this charge against you. Did not you bring a charge against me first ? —So I said. 469. And it was referred back to the Commissioner and the whole of it explained, and that was the Commissioner's decision; and what do you blame me for ?—The charges you preferred against me. 1 never knew anything about them until I got the convictions. 470. Why do you say I brought the charge against you ?—Why not have the case defended in a legal manner —have the case heard in the usual way. 471. It was referred to the Commissioner, that is the proper way?—lt was by correspondence I knew nothing about. 472. Will you swear you were not told the Commissioner's decision ?—Only that I was convicted, and informed to that effect. 473. You were told the Commissioner's decision then ?—The convictions informed me. 474. You do not charge me with putting the case unfairly ? —Certainly I do. 475. Why ? —This report of yours imputes serious charges against me, and I never got a chance of refuting them. 476. What are they? —Well, you made a blank denial of the charge I made. You say, " The constable's statement to the effect that I said that he was not to make an appointment with the woman is quite untrue, and I am afraid has been introduced into his report for the purpose of giving his report some foundation. It is also untrue to say that my manner was in any way insulting."

17—fl. 2.