I.—lα.

[c. macdonell.

44

The Chairman nodded assent. 25. Mr. Hardy.] Before we go away from that point I would like to ask the Inspector if it is according to the Police Regulations that a detective is allowed to play billiards when on duty in plain clothes ?—I do not know that there is anything in the regulations in reference to it. 26. Why was the man fined for doing a thing"which is not contrary to the regulations ?—He was cautioned, not fined. He was wasting his time. That is the main consideration that influenced me. 27. Then, he was not engaged in the prosecution of his duty when he was wasting time? —I should think he was not. No doubt he went to the hotel for that purpose—to look out for the suspicious characters—for he went to every hotel in the place. But he wasted his time. 28. Mr. Maginnity.] Pursue that a little further, Inspector, will you ? Then, the man was guilty of a dereliction of duty ?—Yes, I considered so. 29. For which you thought a caution was sufficient ? —Yes. 30. I want to traverse the evidence you gave when you were examined by the various members of the Committee, and also upon your cross-examination by the Commissioner. First, will you tell the Committee, please, upon what ground you referred to the Postboy Hotel as a house bearing a bad reputation ?—I have answered that already, I think. 31. I want you to answer it again, please. The statement is on page 16 of the printed matter. It is at the end. of Remnant's evidence, and would appear to be Remnant's statement to the Inspector, but a reference to the original file of papers laid before Parliament will show that that is the Inspector's note appended in parentheses— i.e., " This house bears a bad reputation." In the printed matter it would appear to be a statement of Remnant's, but that is a mistake. Remnant's statement apparently stops at the word '■often." Now, I am asking the Inspector upon what authority he makes that statement in an official report to the Commissioner?—l have answered that before. 32. Will you kindly tell us ? The Committee will stop me if I ask an improper question. Please answer on until lam stopped by the Committee. Am I right, Mr. Chairman? The Chairman: Yes. 33. Mr. Maginnity.] Now, if you will answer the question we will save time ? —Simply because I was told it was so. 34. I am asking you upon what authority did you make that statement? —Simply because I was told so. 35. That is not an answer to the question. It is no use fencing. Who was your authority— who told you ?—Different people. 36. Give us their names ?—Am I bound to do that, Mr. Chairman ? The Chairman : Of course, we cannot force any witness to answer. Witness : I may say that I regret very much having to mention Mr. Bannehr's name, because his partner took a very active part, it appears, in the agitation. I am very sorry that I had to do that. 37. Mr. Maginnity.] You need not regret anything if what you stated was true? —It was true. 38. Well, then, you had nothing to regret. Mr. Bannehr's partner is not accountable for the wickedness of Mr. Bannehr, or for his virtue? —I did not say so. 39. If what you stated was untrue the Chairman will permit you to withdraw it ?—I got the information from Mr. Bannehr on the understanding that it was private. 40. You have already given Mr. Bannehr's name; I have not mentioned it. Was Mr. Bannehr one of those who told you that about the Postboy Hotel ?—No. 41. Who-told you that the Postboy Hotel was a house of bad reputation? —Different people. 42. Now give us their names ?—I must decline to do that unless the Committee insist on it. I do not know what bearing it has on the case. Mr. Maginnity : It is impossible for me, Mr. Chairman, to meet a charge if I do not know what I have to meet. The Chairman has already said that he will stop me if I ask an improper question. Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones : The point, I take it, is this : the police often have difficulty in getting information ; they have to get it from all sources, and it is got by them from people who perhaps do not wish their names published broadcast throughout the colony. Mr. Maginnity: The character of the house, sir, and of people frequenting it is involved in this statement, which has been made public. It is here in the printed papers. Witness : That is not through me. 43. Mr. Maginnity.] Excuse me. It was you who said that the house bears a bad reputation. I did not say so. I want you to tell the Committee upon what grounds you made the statement. You say that it is not relevant; but I woμld point out that if your information upon this point was improperly gained or is untrue your information on the charges against the constables will be equally untrue, and I want the Committee to weigh the value of your evidence in regard to this matter in comparison with your evidence with regard to the charges against the constables. Now, will you tell us your authority for stating that "this house bears a bad reputation"? —I must decline, unless the Committee insist on it. 44. I will suggest names to you. Did you get any information about the character of the Postboy Hotel from Constable Williams? —I must refuse to answer that unless the Committee insist upon it. The Chairman : The witness has already been told that the evidence must be given. As I say, of course we cannot force him to, but we will know how to deal with him later on. Witness : All right, then. I did get information from Constable Williams about the character of the house.