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34. For unsatisfactory performance of your duties as a detective?— Yes, through meeting with an accident. 35. In all cases where papers are referred to me, is it not the practice for me to minute them and have them referred to you?—As a matter of fact, ever since tins trouble about Mr. Laurenson and the lumpers my success has not been too good. 36. The Commissioner.] You mean you are a marked man? —I have been indeed. 37. Mr. Dinnie.] In cases where you are reported by your superior officer you see the files? Yes. 38. And you are examined before the Inspector?— Unfortunately for me, the Inspector was away in Melbourne, and there was no examination, and I never saw anything. Tlie Chief Detective came to my house and said I had to make a report, and that he had to make a special report to the Commissioner. 39. You saw reports of your Inspector saying you were unfit for service as a detective? —I never saw anything of the kind; I never saw the file. I noted it. The Inspector was in Melbourne at the time. 40. The Commissioner .] If you noted it you saw the file? —I had no chance to defend myself whatever. 41. But you saw the complaints you had to answer?—l stated what happened; these people framed a report out of their own heads, and did not give me any chance. As a matter of fact, it was charged against me that I must have been drunk or I would not have gone to this place at night. 42. You think the Christchurch matter prejudiced the authorities in dealing with you in Dunedin? —Yes; the subject of the report when I was reduced was all in connection with Christchurch. 43. Can you give any evidence as to the general sobriety of members of the Force either in Christchurch or in Dunedin? Ido not want the names for publication, but will ask you for them privately?—l would sooner not do so. 44. Why? I can compel you to give the names if I choose. I shall make no improper use of the names?— Taking the police as a whole, they are all right so far as sobriety is concerned. 45. Do you know of any individual cases where members of the Force in any of the towns have been in the habit of indulging to excess? —I do not know anything, except one ease where a man had just joined and was dismissed by the Commissioner. I cannot say anything about individual members drinking to excess. 46. I do not mean being reeling drunk in the streets, but taking more than is good for them, and showing signs of liquor? —I cannot give the names. 47. You have not seen men in the Force under the influence of liquor? —Not men who are now in the Force. I have seen men who have been discharged for drunkenness. 48. But 3'ou are not able to say you have ever seen men now r in the Force under the influence of liquor?— Not so as to be unfit for duty. 49. Y r ou give me the impression of being able to say something but being unwilling to do so? —I cannot tell you. 50. I will ask you the plain question again, can you assure me on oath that you have never seen a man who is at present in the Force under the influence of liquor?—l cannot swear that. 51. Then you have seen one? —A man is under the'influence if lie drinks at all. 52. Are any of the detectives, say, in Christchurch, in the habit of taking a great deal of liquor? —There may be. Ido not like to bring a charge against an individual. 53. But it does not become public: you would simply afford me information for further inquiry. I may find your allegation either true or untrue? —I do not like to bring any charge. There are people over the men who should give that evidence. 54. What people are there who can give me that evidence?— Those in charge. I might saythat I absolutely refused to work with a man who was mate with me. Your Worship knows who he is. 55. But I want to have it in evidence from you ? —That man has got more power or " pull " than I have. 56. What "pull" has he got? How did he get it?—l do not know. 57. Does he say he has got it?—Y 7 es, and boasts about it. 58. What have you gathered to be the source of the "pull"?—It is political and otherwise; he happens to know people in the right place. 59. I take it that beyond two or three instances, which probably I know of, you are not aware of any drinking to excess: do you decline to answer?—l do not decline to answer. I am sorry to say there are, but I do not think I should be right in giving the names. 60. I say you are called upon to give the names. I have asked you to give them in private, though if I thought proper I could demand that they should be given in public?—l beg your Worship's pardon ; I understood the names were to be published. 61. I never suggested it; I should consider it. a grave injustice to allow any allegations to be made public until I had satisfied myself by further evidence that they were true. I shall certainly require you to give the names privately to the secretary?— Yes, your Worship; I misunderstood you. 62. Mr. Dinnie.] You say there are some men with political "pull" and otherwise: what do you infer? —That if it were not for the " pull " they would not be there. 63. Whom have they a pull over? Do you suggest I know anything about it? —I do not know, but if it were not for their political " pull " they would not be in the Police Force of New Zealand. 64. You say there are some men in the Force you have seen under the influence of drink : how many?—l do not know a policeman addicted to drink.