A. BUBBELL.J

13

I.—lα.

120. Is it frequently done ? —No ; but it is done. 121. Could you give us cases in which it has been done?—l have seen it done in Dunedin, not in Nelson. 122. Is that the only case of the kind that you know of in Nelson ?—Yes. 123. The same thing has been done in Dunedia ? —Yes ; I can remember men doing the same thing there. 124. A drunken man, who is not arrested, goes to the office and complains that he has been assaulted by the police ? —I could not say whether he was a resident or not. 125. Ido not want to get down anything from you if you do not agree with it. If you want to withdraw anything you are at perfect liberty to do so, as far as lam concerned. I just want to take your statement correctly. You said before the Committee that the statement that you assaulted Eemnant is untrue ? —Yes. 126. In fact, you said that all the statements with regard to the assaults are untrue ? —Yes. 127. Do you consider that the report by Inspector Macdonell, which has been read by my learned friend, is incorrect ?—Yes, I do. 123. You consider it an untrue report ? —Yes. 129. The Chairman.] Did you consider it your duty as a policeman to lock up every man that you saw drunk in the streets if he was not obstructing the thoroughfare, creating a nuisance, or interfering with anybody ?—No, I did not. 130. Mr. Hardy.'] If he was going along a very dangerous place and there was a probability of his being drunk being a menace to himself, what would be your position then ?—I would lock him up. 131. Mr. Maginnity.] I think you told us that Eemnant was not helpless, but that he was the worse for liquor?— Yes. 132. Hon. Mr. McGoivan.] We have it in evidence that Eemnant, Allen, Blincoe, and Eeed are drunkards and hoodlums ?—Yes. Mr. Maginnity : I will now call ex-Constable Durbridge. Feederick Henry Durbridge examined. (No. 4.) Mr. Maginnity : Will you explain to the wftness, Mr. Chairman, the position he is in with regard to his evidence ? The Chairman : The Speaker of the House has ruled that any witness or petitioner giving evidence before a Committee of the House is equivalent to being upon his oath, and for any false statement he may make he can be punished, in precisely the same way as if he were on oath—he is subject to all the pains and penalties. 133. Mr. Maginnity.] Do you understand your position?— Yes. 134. Have you been called upon by your late Inspector, or by any other person, to furnish a report upon a complaint made that you had been guilty of indiscretions with a girl named Miss ? —No. 135. No complaint has been made to you? —No. 136. Then, will you listen to this, please : " On the afternoon of the 10th February instant I called at the Hotel, Nelson, and saw Mrs. ■ , the licensee. I told her who I was, and what I came to see her about—viz., in reference to the condition, &c, of , and Constable Durbridge , s supposed connection therewith. Mrs. — was very unwilling to say anything on the subject. She gave me to understand that she was afraid to do so. I assured her she had nothing to fear, &c, and that if she was in any way molested over the matter to communicate with me, and I would see she got justice. She still appeared to be very frightened. Ultimately she made a statement to me to the following effect : 'It is quite true - — got into trouble in this house. She was a servant here; she did not like to tell me of her trouble ; she told the woman next door, and requested her to tell me. She did so. When I saw the girl afterwards she at first could do nothing but sob and cry. She afterwards told me all about it, and told me Constable Durbridge got her into trouble. I knew he used to be after her since I took charge of the house; but I understand she got into trouble before I did so, and while the women next door had charge of it. Shortly after her admission she left for Wellington. I understood it was to try to get quit or rid of her trouble. Shortly afterwards I received a telegram saying she got quit or rid of it. A Mrs. — , of the Hotel, Wellington, sent me the telegram for her. I burned the telegram. — was an excellent girl in every way until she met Durbridge; I never met a finer girl. I was exceedingly sorry for her. The single constables in Nelson bear a bad name for immorality. It is considered they have too little to do, and are not properly looked after; that is the general opinion so far as I know. I often heer of rows and assaults committed by them. I hope it will not be known that I have said anything. lam going out of this house soon (it is a tied house), and I might be prevented getting another.' On the 14th February instant I called again to ask which of the women next door told her of 's condition. As soon as she saw me she said, ' I wish to God you would not come here ; you will be seen, and I shall get into trouble.' I asked if any one had been calling on her. She said, ' Yes ; Durbridge was here, and asked if you had been here asking anything about him.' I said, ' No, Ido not know him; is he here ?' He replied, 'Of course he is,' and left. ' I air frightened you will be seen, and I shall get into trouble.' I next (same day) called on next door, and asked for her married daughter, who had informed , as before stated ; but she denied all knowledge of the matter, and pretended she did not believe the rumours about , &c. I could see at a glance she was not telling the truth. She was fencing every question. I left her and went to a Mrs. - —, who is carrying on a shop opposite the HoteL. I asked her if it was true Constable Durbridge kicked up a row with her for connecting his name with 's trouble. She said it