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these constables resided on the station, which is therefore their home for the time being in addition to being the police-station. The open manner the constables went about the matter clearly shows they did not consider they were doing much wrong. The taking of females into a policestation late at night cannot, however, be tolerated, as, if it were, abuses would soon arise or improper motives would be imputed, therefore the constables are each reprimanded, and cautioned to be more careful in future.— J. B. Tdnbbidgb, Commissioner of Police." 3. That, notwithstanding the findings of the said Commissioner in respect of the said charges, your petitioner, by the direction of Cabinet, was called upon to resign, and a memorandum from the said Commissioner to the Sub-Inspector in charge of the district, and a memorandum from the latter to the sergeant in charge at Nelson, of which the following are copies, were made known to your petitioner : — " (Memorandum No. 325.) " Police Department, Commissioner's Office, " Sub-Inspector Wilson, Greymouth. Wellington, 17th April, 1902. " I forward you herewith a copy of my findings on the charges recently inquired into by me against Constables Durbridge and Burrell, and you will be good enough to communicate the result to the officers concerned. " In addition to the punishments inflicted therein, Cabinet has made the following orders : viz., ' Constables Burrell and Durbridge to be called upon to resign.' You will also communicate this to the officers concerned, and direct Constables Burrell and Durbridge to submit their resignations forthwith. "J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police." " Sergeant Mackay,— " District Police Office, Greymouth, 2]st April, 1902. "Constables Burrell and Durbridge are called on to resign, and you will forward their applications here as early as possible. " The attached correspondence is forwarded for your information, and you will please read the Commissioner's findings to the men concerned therein. " Edwd. Wilson, Sub-Inspector." 4. That your petitioner, acting under advice, declined to resign, and applied for a public investigation under the Police Regulations. This was not granted him, and he was dismissed from the service on the 2nd day of May, 1902. 5. That your petitioner, in view of the nature of the charges alleged and the findings of the said Commissioner thereupon, is aggrieved at the severity of the treatment meted out to him by the Government. 6. That your petitioner, by such treatment as aforesaid, has been disgraced, and his future career seriously prejudiced. 7. That up to the time of the said charges your petitioner possessed a clean defaulter's sheet. 8. That your petitioner is not aware of any other offence or dereliction of duty warranting his dismissal from the service, arid he urges that if any such charge or dereliction of duty has been preferred against him he has not been afforded the opportunity of meeting the same. 9. Wherefore your petitioner respectfully prays that you will cause a full investigation to be made into the subject of his petition, and afford him such relief as you may deem his merits justify. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray. Nelson, Ist October, 1903. F. H. Durbridge.

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