A. .1. MITCHELL.]

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9. There is very often an instance which points out a weak spot in the system. 1 know a case in which a man was reported on very favourably indeed by a constable, and who received a damning report from one who knew him better? —That is so ; but to prevent any conflict of that sort I make it a point to encourage the constable to add to the file a written opinion of the persons he has interviewed, so as not to leave it to his own view of the case. 10. Do you think the constables now in the Force encourage, or otherwise, young men to come forward for enrolment? —I have yet to learn that constables doing beat duty interest themselves much 11. Ido not mean that. I mean it is quite conceivable that a young man who had some idea, perhaps visionary, of entering the Force might ask the opinion of a constable he might know. I would not make every constable a recruiting officer? —The class of reply he would receive from a constable in such a ease would largely depend upon the state of the constable's health at the minute, and on whether he had a grievance ; but, speaking generally, 1 should be surprised if, taking the constables as a body, they would do other than encourage an applicant. 12. As regards the discipline obtaining in the Force, is there in your experience any deterioration J—No. 13. Are you getting a good class of men as sergeants?—l have no fault to find. Of course, I can only speak of those I have worked with. If a sergeant were a little lax his immediate superior would be expected to sharpen him up a bit, and he would pass that on to those below him. The men must take their tone from their sergeant, as they are more in touch with him than with any other officer. 14. That accentuates the necessity for having the best men as sergeants? —Undoubtedly. 15. Would you say the Force to-day is as efficient as it has been in the course of your experience? —I should say it was better than in the early period. I think a better class of men come forward. 16. Do you think the present system of promotion gives you the best class of men?—l think so. The standard rule which is observed at present is that a man must be ten years a constable before he is eligible as a sergeant. This should give a man ample opportunity to gain the necessary experience. 17. Would you think it more necessary to consider the standard of education in the promotion from constable to sergeant than in original enrolment in the Force?— The mere fact of a man being, for instance, a bad speller should not in itself be a bar to his receiving promotion. As to a constable's qualifications entitling him to higher rank, I take it the educational test alone would not avail him much ; for this reason : instances are known to many where a man's education has been limited, but his disposition has been such that he has been able to exercise influence for good over constables, whereas another man who has been highly educated has been a perfect failure as a sergeant, in the matter of commanding men and maintaining his own position on a higher level than those lie has to control. 18. You recommend for promotion, and those are the conditions which influence you?— That is so; all Inspectors are asked by circular to make recommendations only to the Commissioner. 19. How do you find those recommendations received and acted upon?—So far as I am concerned, I cannot say there has been any overlooking of my recommendations, and when the term has come, promotion lias followed. In some cases of men belonging to this district whom I have recommended for promotion, promotion has already been given effect to. In other eases possibly the fault has been my premature recommendation. 20. You mean in regard to seniority? —Yes; I deliberately overlooked the fact that a man had not had ten years' service; but I thought from my knowledge of him he was highly qualified to rank as sergeant, and that the Department would have benefited, so I recommended accordingly. 21. How does the general conduct of members of the Force compare with your experience all along?—l can speak of the police in Southland as a body in very high terms as a respectable lot of men. lam rather surprised to hear that as a body they are not, thought well of by the respectable portion of the community. 22. But they are: some men, however, are inclined to be hypersensitive. They are, however, certainly not the most respectable portion of the community?—ln regard to tlie respectable portion of the community, T can say most positively that they entertain a very very high opinion of the Force as a body, and if the slightest irregularity is noticed their interest in the welfare of the Force is so great that they often inconvenienced themselves to give me a hint. This, I think, speaks volumes. 23. In regard to sobriety, I must have this matter of the general sobriety of the Force answered directly : I am not dealing with the question of getting absolutely drunk, but with a general tendency to take more than is good for them?— Since I came here two men have been noticed to be the worse for liquor. They are not now in the Force, both having been very promptly dealt with on my bringing tlie state in which I found them under the notice of the Commissioner. They were both at once dismissed. With these two exceptions, I cannot say that any man in the district has had a weakness in this direction. 24. In regard to general morality, meaning sexual morality?—l can only speak in the highest terms of the men under myself. 25. You have had no instances of affiliation? —No. I can speak of the men of Southland without exception as being most praiseworthy. 26. Have you become aware at any time of any attempt on the part of individual officers or men to use influence, apart from the ordinary channels through the Commissioner?—Of my own knowledge, I have not; but I hear things about it. 27. Has any man ever said to you anything such as, " Well, if I don't get it this way, I will get it another "?—Possibly he has, but I cannot think of an instance at the present moment, nor can I call to mind any particular man who has said so.